Three years ago surveys about local broadband service went out.  Almost two years ago area local governments in Vance, Granville and Franklin Counties began approving contracts.  Now, more and more potential from the process is being realized.

Specifically in Vance County, the latest on Open Broadband was revealed earlier this month at the monthly meeting of the Vance County Commissioners.

Open Broadband is a North Carolina company serving 19 counties by offering broadband to underserved communities.

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen told WIZS News, “Open Broadband has installed equipment and is offering service to customers within sight of our Warrenton Road Water tank and our New Hope Elementary School water tank. They are in the process of testing the equipment and intend to open up LTE service within the next month or so from these tanks.”

LTE service is scheduled to be fully up and running by the end of May.

McMillen confirmed in an email to WIZS, “This will allow our citizens within approximately 5 miles of each tank to sign on for monthly wireless broadband service with Open Broadband at lower rates than the currently available options.”

The company acknowledged that the timeframe for rolling this out is behind schedule approximately a year and a half.

“Over the next 3-4 years Open Broadband intends to spread coverage out to cover larger portions of the county,” McMillen said.

Details, monthly emails and signing up to be on a waitlist for service are available options at the company’s web page — openbb.net.