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A "black hole" for high speed Internet

Maria Applewood and her family have run out of options.

They're desperate for high speed Internet, but as Maria says, her home is located in a "black hole."

That's because her hometown of Berryville, Virginia, isn't densely populated enough to interest Internet service providers in building out high speed access to every home. The Applewoods live outside the service areas for DSL and cable Internet, and the only other options -- satellite and wireless service -- are costly and riddled with service problems.

It's frustrating for Maria to see her family missing out on so many important applications:

Maria's aggravation isn't sparked by being unable to download music or watch YouTube. Rather, the slow service has made it more difficult for her daughters to perform schoolwork and fill out college applications, she said during a recent interview at her home.

It's also harder for her and her husband to bring work home or take an online class.

The Applewoods have even considered moving out of the community they love just so they can connect to the digital age.

The Virginia state government is struggling to pinpoint communities like Berryville which lack high speed Internet service.  And the Virginia Broadband Roundtable, a group of telecommunications leaders including Debbie Goldman from the Communications Workers of America and the Speed Matters project, is working to create a "blueprint" to assist communities in Virginia with broadband planning and development.

While Virginia develops its plan, residents like Maria Applewood have few options.

Without wired high speed Internet like cable, DSL, or fiber optics, the only options are satellite or wireless Internet. Satellite -- with equipment fees in the hundreds of dollars -- is too expensive and prone to service outages due to weather and physical obstacles.

The new wireless BroadbandAccess service being rolled out by Verizon in the area has its own problems. For one, it doesn't provide unlimited access like wired services. And like satellite, wireless service can be spotty and gets blocked by physical obstacles.

For the Applewoods and their neighbors in the "black hole," the only way to truly become connected to the 21st century is through wired high speed Internet. Verizon is building its cutting edge FiOS fiber optic network in other parts of Virginia. It's time they bring that important service to all, regardless of geography.

Clarke residents want high-speed Internet access (Winchester Star)

Virginia struggles to find out who's connected (Speed Matters)

Former Gov. Warner leads Virginia high speed internet panel (Speed Matters)