(June 9, 2016) Though wireless internet service was promised by Memorial Day after a previous deadline came and went, downtown Snow Hill is still waiting on the service the town contracted Comcast to provide.
Taylor Ballard, the Comcast account representative handling the installation, said he was instructed to refer all future inquiries to Comcast’s corporate communications department.
“We are excited to partner with the Town of Snow Hill and look forward to bringing WiFi service to key locations in the downtown area, including the Police Department and Fire Hall, Town Municipal Office, Pocomoke River Canoe Company and Sturgis Park pavilion,” Comcast Public relation Manager Jamie Debole said. “We anticipate the hotspots to be fully functional in the coming weeks so residents and visitors alike can enjoy this amenity.”
Previously, Ballard said the recent strike by Verizon workers had led to an influx of work orders in other areas of the county, reducing the resources available to complete the work in Snow Hill. The Verizon strike ended May 30.
Two town officials close to the project said it was unclear if new hardware needed to be installed to complete the job, or if the delay was caused simply by a failure to deliver required passwords.
Town Manager Kelly Pruitt said communications with Comcast had been sporadic in the past few weeks, but confirmed no new delivery date had been set.
Four transponders have been installed: one on Green Street, two on River Street and another on Bank Street, Michael Day, economic development consultant said in a previous interview.
The provided coverage would include Sturgis Park and the Pocomoke River Canoe Company along the north edge of town and wouldn’t go much farther east, but would continue west to the area near the police station and likely as far south as Market Street, Day said.
Day said the system would support a webcam he hopes local broadcasters might use as part of their area showcases.
Day confirmed the town will be providing internet access as a service, and will not be collecting or sharing any data about users’ habits or locations as they use the system.
The town is picking up the cost of the installation, around $1,200, Day said. There is also a monthly charge for service, which is less than the installation charge but also includes phone service for the town.
Taylor Ballard, the Comcast account representative handling the installation, said he was instructed to refer all future inquiries to Comcast’s corporate communications department.
“We are excited to partner with the Town of Snow Hill and look forward to bringing WiFi service to key locations in the downtown area, including the Police Department and Fire Hall, Town Municipal Office, Pocomoke River Canoe Company and Sturgis Park pavilion,” Comcast Public relation Manager Jamie Debole said. “We anticipate the hotspots to be fully functional in the coming weeks so residents and visitors alike can enjoy this amenity.”
Previously, Ballard said the recent strike by Verizon workers had led to an influx of work orders in other areas of the county, reducing the resources available to complete the work in Snow Hill. The Verizon strike ended May 30.
Two town officials close to the project said it was unclear if new hardware needed to be installed to complete the job, or if the delay was caused simply by a failure to deliver required passwords.
Town Manager Kelly Pruitt said communications with Comcast had been sporadic in the past few weeks, but confirmed no new delivery date had been set.
Four transponders have been installed: one on Green Street, two on River Street and another on Bank Street, Michael Day, economic development consultant said in a previous interview.
The provided coverage would include Sturgis Park and the Pocomoke River Canoe Company along the north edge of town and wouldn’t go much farther east, but would continue west to the area near the police station and likely as far south as Market Street, Day said.
Day said the system would support a webcam he hopes local broadcasters might use as part of their area showcases.
Day confirmed the town will be providing internet access as a service, and will not be collecting or sharing any data about users’ habits or locations as they use the system.
The town is picking up the cost of the installation, around $1,200, Day said. There is also a monthly charge for service, which is less than the installation charge but also includes phone service for the town.