CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Public Service Commission has approved Appalachian Power’s application for installing broadband infrastructure in Logan and Mingo counties.
Appalachian Power and its subsidiary Wheeling Power previously proposed building middle-mile broadband infrastructure in the counties, in which crews would install more than 400 miles of fiber. According to the state Public Service Commission, there are around 15,200 unserved residential and business customers in Logan and Mingo counties. The commission said Thursday 60% of unserved residents and 90% of unserved businesses would take the new broadband service once available.
“Lack of broadband service has a crippling effect in rural areas of West Virginia,” commission Chairman Charlotte Lane said. “Businesses, schools, and students have suffered and fallen behind due to the lack of connectivity. The Public Service Commission is pleased to be able to play a role in getting West Virginia connected.”
Chris Beam, Appalachian Power’s president and chief operating officer, said the coronavirus pandemic placed additional pressure on companies to address the digital divide.
“We are well-positioned to help expand broadband access in rural parts of our service area, and are excited to be part of the solution to this longstanding issue,” he added.
The project has an estimated cost of $61.3 million with an annual operations and maintenance cost of $1.2 million in the first year and $1.74 million in the ensuing years. Appalachian Power will be allowed to recover costs through a broadband surcharge of 20 cents per month system-wide.