Wireless broadband in Marion could be a reality as soon as July 1.

The City of Marion has entered into a five-year contract with E-footprints of Pelham to provide broadband wireless internet service to the city. After a little more equipment installation and testing, the service will be available, according to Marion Mayor Dexter Hinton.

Hinton explained this is a two-phase plan. Phase one is providing broadband to the city of Marion. In phase two, the service will be made available in the rest of Perry County, but that will involve the county commissioners and the county water service.

Some citizens outside the city limits will have service, according to Hinton. At the April 4 city council meeting Hinton said the city agreed to provide rental space for the receiver on one of the water towers. That receiver will supply 70% of the service for Perry County, which is 16 miles distance, so some citizens outside the city will get service, but the whole city will be covered.

Uniontown will also have equipment installed on a water tower. The equipment in both municipalities will give the 70% or more coverage to the county. Contracts for service to outlying areas of the county will be handled by the county commission.

From now through July 1, a select few citizens will get service at no charge as a final test of the equipment. After July 1, if there are no problems, subscriptions will be available for everyone. “We are a small community, and economic development is a big deal for the City of Marion,” Hinton said. Providing powerful, reliable internet service “will help bring more businesses,” he said.

Strong wireless service will also help school kids learning at home through virtual and online schools. When the pandemic sent children home for online learning, busses equipped with Wi-Fi had to be placed throughout the county. This service will make that unnecessary.

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