It's a big day in Vinton. The first part of the broadband project arrived in the form of a roughly 97,000 pound "hut." Located in the city parking lot across from HACAP (4th St. between 2nd and 3rd Ave.) and ironically kitty-corner from Century Link. The building will rest here out of the flood plain as well.
The hut will house all of the brains of the operation that is Vinton's broadband project. The building is built to be tornado safe and will house all of the equipment to bring internet to your homes as well as all sorts of sensors to alert the city should there be any issues inside or around the building.
There was a small mishap when backing the building into the parking lot and trying to maneuver the tight drive, lights, fire hydrants, wires, trees and the odd angles. Contact was made with one of the city lights, but the $5,500 light will of course, be covered by the company, and not Vinton utility customers. (clip of the action my apologies to the semi driver, but like we all said as we stood around, WE couldn't have backed that in! Hey, no one was hurt, lights can be replaced...)
Just a reminder, if you haven't yet, fill out the form for your site survey here so that your property can be ready to run the broadband fiber to it when you're ready to sign up.
Right now there are around 1,082 who have signed up, that is impressive! It will take a few months to get everyone with conduit (the plumbing so to speak) run to their homes. For the folks that have have signed up, unlike the high-speed internet, it will take time, but it will be well worth it!
On another note, Mediacom has a permit to make housecalls to invite you to sign up with them. As a reminder, the numbers for the Vinton broadband service will be out later this month. so that you will be able to make a better informed decision for internet service.
