The purpose of this petition is to request Charter Communications (Spectrum,) to quickly provide broadband technology in our community, Creola Ohio / Vinton County. As well as Frontier Communications to improve land line services.

Previously, rural areas were left behind because populations were low, however since the RDOF program, (Rural Development Opportunity Fund), the government approved funds for companies to develop broadband high-speed internet to all, we have hope.  The pain is the same for many Ohioan and Americans.

Currently in my area there’s only satellite internet available; each satellite company says the same that they provide high-speed internet, but if you’ve ever experienced satellite internet you may agree the high speed is a joke.  The speeds are not what they say, service goes out just because of rain or a cloudy day, overpriced packages, capped data, and limited access to todays need for continuous internet communication for remote work, school, entertainment, appliances and much more. At times, my satellite service is so slow that I can literally sing the Jeopardy song 2 x’s before a page will load, that’s terrible.  We subscribe to Netflix but haven’t watched at home since we moved to Creola, Ohio over a year ago; movies either buff every 3-5 minutes or unable to connect all together.

In my situation, my home has NO cell services with any provider, our landline phone service with Frontier will go out for a week at a time (more than 4 times within 6 months) and satellite internet service is unreliable.  I’ve experienced many times electricity going out due to weather or other maintenance reasons; no electricity means no internet, no internet = no Wi-Fi, no Wi-Fi = no cell phone, no phone communication at all = no help in times of emergency.  My community and Hocking hills area are so undeveloped in technology and because of the hills, cell service cannot reach everyone.

There’s Pro’s and Con’s to living in a rural area, but we are now in 2023 with developed technology capable of reaching unserved low populated areas where we deserve service too.  Not having broadband internet technology in my area effects my business as well as other businesses. It is frustrating to be between 2 cities that currently have spectrum, Logan and McArther but not extended to the in-between towns like mine.  Creola Ohio and surrounding areas like Hocking Hills have many rental cabins that, like us, also need reliable phone and internet communications for safety and growth reasons.  

There’s been no indication of Frontier Communications showing interest in improving landline phone service other than a quick band-aid fix with no long-term solution; assumingly since in 2021 Charter Communications won the bid to develop broadband high-speed internet. As of today, there’s been no development nor any updates; no information other than expected Broadband internet completion year 2027.  I’m wondering why it would take so long to bridge broadband to the neighboring towns, other than high demand.  So, I’m pleading with Charter Communications and Frontier to please bring us up to speed with reliable technology ASAP.

We need help! Please support Creola Ohio and surrounding areas by joining me in signing this petition; we need you!