STATE COLLEGE — There may soon be a new cable and internet provider in town.
Virginia-based Shenandoah Telecommunication Company (Shentel) is hoping to provide its services to Patton Township and other neighboring municipalities.
During a Sept. 28 Patton Township board meeting, manager Doug Erickson said Shentel is offering to pay the retainer for Cohen Law Group to represent the township in a potential franchise agreement.
The township last updated its franchise agreement with Comcast in 2019, and the agreement allows for other providers to be invited into the market.
Erickson said Shentel is also in talks with Ferguson Township and State College Borough, where cable provider Windstream is withdrawing services.
“So, I think that is part of the reason why Shentel is looking to come in here,” said Erickson.
Just like in the agreement with Comcast, area municipalities would be joining together in a consortium to work out the agreement with Shentel, so all municipalities would have the same contracts. Erickson said that it would likely take until at least June for the agreement to be brought back to supervisors to vote on.
Shentel plans to provide a “fiber to the home” service, which should be a faster connection than what Comcast provides.
“Your hard connection with Comcast is through a coaxial cable, which is good, but it’s not as good as a fiber-optic cable,” said Erickson. He also said having another player in the market should help keep costs lower for consumers.
It is good timing, said supervisor Dan Trevino, because the township has been looking at ways to expand its fiber optic coverage.
“I really look forward to what they are going to be proposing. Hopefully, they will decide to enter this market. Fiber to the home requires a huge investment to infrastructure, so if a private entity is willing to undertake that investment, that really alleviates a lot of stress on us to come up with funds,” said Trevino.
Supervisors agreed to enter into the contract on the condition that it is approved by the township solicitor
