Upper Burrell pursues broadband program

Upper Burrell Supervisor Ross G. Walker III estimates about 15% of his township does not have broadband internet service.

But, when broadband providers are ready to come to the township, they’ll be ready.

The supervisors will move to obtain designation from the PA Broadband Development Authority as a Broadband Ready Community.

The optional program aims to bring high-speed internet to locations that have poor or no internet service. It strives to reduce barriers to broadband deployment at the municipal level and prepares municipalities for a smooth transition to upgraded broadband infrastructure.

“Anything that comes forth, we’ll be ready for it,” Walker said. “It’s legally readying the township for broadband when it does come.”

Joining the program symbolizes a municipality’s “good faith effort” to review current polices that create a barrier to quickly deploying broadband infrastructure, said Penny Ickes, spokeswoman for the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development.

Once a municipality completes the resolution, the PA Broadband Development Authority will acknowledge and promote it as a Broadband Ready Community, Ickes said.

Doing so may help attract internet service providers to expand high-speed internet in the area, expedite broadband deployment in a community and build relationships and communication between a municipality and an internet service provider.

“Participation positions communities for continued growth in the digital economy,” Ickes said.