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The way "remote area" has been defined by the federal agencies overseeing the broadband stimulus program has eliminated most of West Virginia from eligibility, "which we all know is ridiculous because West Virginia ranks in the top 47 or 48 states un-served by broadband," according to Dave Armentrout, FiberNet Chief Operating Officer.

 

An analysis by Connect West Virginia shows that only two areas in the state qualify as "remote areas" under the definitions released by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service.

 

FiberNet also is concerned that there is a two-year deadline from the receipt of money to project completion. Pole attachment, and the work required to certify each pole, is part of the problem.

 

The company said is not convinced it can demonstrate "sustainability" once facilities are built. The problem is that some areas are remote enough that after building a fiber trunking network and then wireless drops, there isn't enough revenue at $30 a month from each subscriber, even when 40 percent of homes passed become subscribers.

 

"I expect this to keep unfolding in more and more disasters," Armentrout said.

 

According to Connect West Virginia, broadband service is available to 81 percent of West Virginia households.