Columbia Getting Hookup--Broadband Ahead for Six CA Spots

Howard County and the Columbia Association (CA) announced a partnership this week that will enable speedier connections for CA members at six facilities in Columbia.

The Inter-County Broadband Network (ICBN), a fiberoptic cable system installed across Maryland to improve local infrastructure, will soon be connected to these CA centers:

• Columbia Association headquarters
• CA maintenance facility on Gerwig Lane
• Columbia Gym
• Columbia Athletic Club
• Supreme Sports Club
• Haven on the Lake

“...this is a great resource for us,” CA President Milton Matthews said.

The installation process will take up to 60 days, according to Howard County Chief Information Officer Christopher Merdon.

During construction, the county will dig trenches up to the buildings and alongside area roads, Merdon said. Workers will install conduit, a casing that protects the fiber, in the trenches, as well as the fiberoptic cables themselves.

The construction process will have “minimal visual impact to residents,” according to Merdon.

They Columbia Gym and CA maintenance facility will be the first CA entities hooked up to the network, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Benefits of Inter-County Broadband Connection

In the past few years, Howard County has connected its 911 call centers, five elementary schools and 29-county owned buildings to the network, which county officials say provides greater bandwidth and cost savings.

According to Council Vice Chair Courtney Watson, the broadband upgrade will improve the experience of CA users on their mobile devices.

“I know the one thing everyone who uses the gyms is excited about is the improved WiFi access,” Watson said. “It’ll be easier for them to use their smart phones and tablets and computers while they’re here.”

In addition to speed, the fiberoptic network adds a cost savings.

The ICBN was funded with state, federal and local dollars. After connecting public facilities, counties have the option to offer access to the network other entities. As such, CA is leasing the cable from Howard County, Ulman said.

According to a statement from Howard County, the Columbia Association will pay $10,000 less a month to the county than it would to increase the bandwidth with its regular provider.

“...CA will see cost savings coupled with a better user experience for staff and clients,” County Executive Ulman said in a prepared statement.

Annually, the savings will total $128,940, according to the statement.

Photo Credit: Columbia Association. Howard County Chief Information Officer Chris Merdon, County Executive Ken Ulman, County Council Vice Chair Courtney Watson and CA President/CEO Milton W. Matthews announced the new broadband initiative.