WV Internet Expansion Funding Gives Routers to Small Venues - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

WV Internet Expansion Funding Gives Routers to Small Venues

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -

High-powered Internet computer routers designed to serve college campuses and other large entities is being installed in small state libraries, elementary schools and health clinics.
    
The Sunday Gazette-Mail reports that the state spent $24 million to buy 1,064 routers two years ago after receiving a $126 million federal stimulus grant to expand high-speed Internet across West Virginia.
    
A sales agent for router manufacturer Cisco says they are built to serve a minimum of 500 users. But the routers were installed in schools with fewer than a dozen computers and libraries that have only one terminal for visitors.
    
West Virginia Homeland Security chief Jimmy Gianato is leading the state broadband project. He defends the router purchases, saying they could meet many different needs and be used for multiple applications.