Dickenson County, Va., Rolls out Wireless Communications

The Dickenson County Wireless Integrated Network (DCWIN) will provide wireless service to enhance local government services to citizens, enhance small business’ ability to compete in world markets and give its citizenry affordable high-speed data transmission and high-speed Internet services. A release from the county says this is the first countywide implementation of wireless communications in Virginia.

http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=85762

The Dickenson County Board of Supervisors in conjunction with the Dickenson County Information Technology Department has developed a three-phase action plan to include:

* Phase I Local Government

* Phase II Industry and Business

* Phase III Residential Service

While many communities and planning districts focus on the implementation of fiber-optic networks to provide high-speed Internet services to customers, the cost associated with the implementation of wireless service is fractional. The end result of wireless service is nominal hookup fees, and monthly service charges will remain stable and extremely competitive in comparison to fiber optics.

The capabilities of DCWIN will produce services equivalent to 11 megabits per second. As continued growth and expansion of services continue, technological advances could permit DCWIN the capability of providing customers up to 22 megabits per second. The system will utilize a 5 gigahertz "backbone" that will traverse the county and a 2.4 GHz distribution system to the end-user.

DCWIN will serve as a catalyst to improve infrastructure within Dickenson County, and the utilization of DCWIN will enhance economic development throughout the entire coalfield region. Dickenson County will create a "backbone" for services to be expanded beyond its boundaries, providing regional opportunities for neighboring counties and Southwest Virginia as a whole. As the transition from a natural resource economy to a technology-based economy continues, Dickenson County looks to the future of joining the technology corridor within Virginia.