Thurmont approved a cable franchise agreement on Tuesday to bring the Glo Fiber fiber optic network, powered by the telecommunications company Shentel, into the town, giving residents access to Shentel’s broadband services, including cable, internet and phone services.
Glo Fiber’s parent company Shentel, also known as the Shenandoah Telecommunications Company, will install high-speed fiber optic cables throughout Thurmont as part of the agreement. Construction is estimated to start no earlier than 18 months after the franchise agreement was approved.
Mayor John Kinnaird said the immediate next steps will be for Shentel to work with the town to apply for necessary permits and decide where the cables will go.
Kinnaird said Shentel will pay for all the costs associated with the project. In addition to providing services to residents, Shentel also offered to provide services in public buildings and schools, according to town attorney Clark Adams.
After the fiber optic cables are installed, residents can sign up for Shentel’s services. The company’s current prices are available on Thurmont’s website, though they may change by the time the cables are installed.
According to the town’s website, the lowest price for Shentel’s internet services is $65 a month for 600 megabits per second. For television streaming packages, the least expensive package costs $49 a month. Shentel’s unlimited calling plan costs $20 a month.
The town currently has a cable franchise agreement with Comcast, which provides similar services to many residents, Kinnaird said. Residents will still be able to use Comcast, but will have a choice to sign up for Shentel.
Internet services through Xfinity, which is under Comcast, cost $60 a month for 800 megabits per second, according to Xfinity’s website. The television bundles range from $25 a month to $80 a month. The Xfinity Voice home phone service costs $20 a month.
Shentel serves customers in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Kentucky, according to the company’s website. Other municipalities in Frederick County, including the city of Frederick and Middletown, have signed cable franchise agreements with Shentel.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the motion to approve the agreement passed 3-1. Kinnaird and Commissioners Bill Buehrer and Wayne Hooper voted for the approval. Commissioner Bill Blakeslee opposed.
Commissioner Wes Hamrick recused himself from the discussion and vote.
Blakeslee said he had concerns about Shentel installing fiber optic cables when the company doesn’t know how many people will actually sign up for the services.
Some residents suggested before the vote that the town gather feedback from residents to gauge the interest in the company’s services.
“Whatever their plan is, let’s send out a questionnaire … and see what the people come back with,” said resident James Wilkins. “I personally wouldn’t want to put in that kind of infrastructure on a hope and a promise.”
