COLRAIN — With the installation of a “telecommunications hut” on Wednesday, Colrain moved one step closer to completing its broadband installation process.
The telecommunications hut, which was delivered by United Concrete of Connecticut, was placed on Main Road across from the Post Office. Town Coordinator Kevin Fox said the hut will house approximately $125,000 of electronics, and will serve as the “brains” of the network.
In advance of the hut, the broadband installation process involved the inspection by Verizon of thousands of utility poles across town — making sure they were ready to accommodate the fibers needed for broadband — and entering into a contract with Westfield Gas & Electric, which provides internet through its Whip City Fiber business. The Selectboard voted to enter into the contract on Nov. 25.
“In short, (broadband) will provide some with (internet) access who previously had none,” Fox said. “It will provide others with a better and less expensive option to DSL or satellite.”
In addition to himself and the advisory committee, Fox said the broadband installation process is being overseen by Westfield Gas & Electric and the Selectboard. The Highway Department assisted in site preparation.
Fox said Verizon still needs to do some work to prepare the utility poles for fiber. Although no definitive date is set, Fox said the next phase to follow the hut installation will be to open up the service to residents and begin sign-ups.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263.