Gov. Joe Manchin has signed legislation designed to move West Virginia closer to meeting his goal of obtaining statewide high-speed Internet access by 2010.

The bill signed by Manchin on Thursday defines broadband and sets the Federal Communications Commission standard of 200 kilobits per second as a minimum. The bill requires any new service to be 600 kilobits per second - three times the FCC minimum - when state money is involved.

In addition, the bill provides for mapping broadband services and establishes reporting requirements for state infrastructure. It creates a broadband development council responsible for mapping and deployment of broadband services where state money is involved.

"This legislation marks significant progress toward developing the infrastructure to support broadband access in West Virginia," Manchin said in prepared remarks. "We are now in a position to take a leadership role among states in making broadband available to our citizens and businesses."