Frontier opposes state-funded Internet network

Frontier Communications and the union that represents the company’s workers are opposing proposed legislation that would create a publicly funded $72 million high-speed Internet network in West Virginia. A Frontier executive and union boss said there’s no guarantee that Internet companies will sign up to use the network and serve customers. That scenario could leave taxpayers on the hook, they said.

State Sen Chris Walters (R-Putnam, WV) plans to introduce the broadband project bill during the upcoming legislative session. “He’s saying if you build a network, they will come. I’m questioning who will come,” said Kevin Wallick, who heads Frontier’s operations in West Virginia. Frontier, the state’s largest Internet provider, would have no use for the statewide broadband network, said Wallick. Frontier has its own 9,000-mile high-speed fiber network, and West Virginia has six additional broadband “middle-mile” networks, he said.