Whitestone resident tells broadband authority he still lacks internet; staff to follow up

A Whitestone resident, Howard Kiser, told the Lancaster County Broadband Authority during public comment that he still does not have internet at 400 Aquilla Point Drive and that his immediate neighbors also lack reliable service.

Why it matters: Individual reports of persistent lack of connectivity illustrate the gap between provider filings and household service; the authority said it will research address-level provider plans and follow up with the caller.

Kiser told the board he has been told repeatedly that service was coming but that nothing has changed in roughly three years. “It’s been going on for, what, three years, I think,” Kiser said. He described neighbors who attempted satellite service but found it unreliable and said he could not afford a high-cost satellite subscription.

Authority members told Kiser they would investigate whether his address appeared on vendor lists submitted for BEAD or other grants. A board member told Kiser his address appeared on a Verizon submission for BEAD and said federal grant timing and a temporary pause at the federal level have delayed progress; board members noted the BEAD program was on hiatus until at least Feb. 13, per information the board had received in other meetings. Keith Kidd, the authority’s vice chair (acting chair), said he would drive past Kiser’s address to check existing cable and would call Kiser with findings later the same day.

Ending: Authority members said they will confirm whether Kiser’s address is included in vendor filings and will contact him with any update; staff also noted they would continue monitoring BEAD and provider lists to identify unserved households.