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Broadband expands westward
Northwestern Loudoun residents now have a greater chance of getting high-speed Internet service, thanks to a strategically placed antenna and a partnership between two local companies and Loudoun County government.Lovettsville-based Loudoun Wireless announced Nov. 27 that it has placed an antenna on a pre-existing tower that will expand wireless broadband to the Neersville and Between-the-Hills area.
These areas have previously been “dead spots,” where no high-speed Internet service has been available. The new antenna will also strengthen wireless service in areas that Loudoun Wireless, owned by John and Gloria Westerman, already covers.
Tim Dennis, president of Waterford-based Invisible Towers, pitched in to help Loudoun Wireless gain access to the 50-year-old tower. Dennis used to be part of a group that owned the tower, and was able to do “some arm twisting and some engineering work” to cement the deal.
The tower sits nearly 3,000 feet above sea level on a ridge known as Loudoun Heights, south of Harpers Ferry, W.Va. It also holds emergency communication, cellular and federal government antennas.
Loudoun's Board of Supervisors has stressed the importance of countywide broadband access to the county's economy and quality of life. Private wireless broadband companies have proved to be the best way to achieve high-speed access in the rural west.
“This is a great success story for Loudoun. It's an economic-development win,” said Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run) at a press conference Nov. 27 to announce the new service.
Loudoun County Manager of Broadband Services Scott Bashore helped Loudoun Wireless navigate the county approval process for the antenna. According to John and Gloria Westerman, Bashore cut the process from 10 months to three weeks.
The Westermans expressed their delight at being able to expand their business to more customers.
“This all started with our own personal desperate need for wireless service in western Loudoun,” Gloria Westerman said.
Contact the reporter at akeisman@timespapers.com
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