Bluepeak expands broadband to Fulda and Jasper MN (Murray & Rock Counties)

Posted on by
Reply

Bluepeak announces…

Bluepeak, a leading provider of high‑speed internet, is excited to announce that internet speeds in the communities of Black Hawk, Piedmont, Summerset, Fulda (MN), Jasper (MN), and several areas in and around Rapid City have doubled as part of a recently completed network upgrade. As a result, thousands of homes can now access up to 2 Gig internet, delivering faster downloads, smoother streaming, and improved reliability across every connected device in the home.

In addition, Bluepeak’s 500 Mbps and 1 Gig plans now include symmetrical upload and download speeds. These upgrades provide households with more consistent performance, making it easier to stream, game, and work simultaneously across multiple devices. For more information on the new speeds, residents can check address availability at mybluepeak.com/fasterspeeds.

League of MN Cities take on American Broadband Deployment Act permitting bill

Posted on by
Reply

I wrote about The American Broadband Deployment Act pause button  last week, the League of Minnesota Cities has a more detailed follow up this week…

The measure was removed from the U.S. House Rules Committee agenda after strong opposition from local government groups, including the League and national partners.

The U.S. House Rules Committee was scheduled to consider the American Broadband Deployment Act (H.R. 2289) on April 20, a necessary step before the bill could advance to the full House floor for a vote. After significant advocacy efforts by the League of Minnesota Cities and its national partners, the bill was pulled from the agenda when it became clear it lacked the votes to pass.

In addition to the League, the coordinated efforts included the National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors.

They detailed…

Specifically, the bill as written would:

  • Force taxpayer subsidies. It would replace the current “fair and reasonable” compensation standard with a strict limit based on “actual and direct costs.” This creates a new unfunded mandate that could force Minnesota residents to subsidize the infrastructure costs of private corporations.

  • Allow automatic permit approvals. The bill would codify federal “shot clocks” and add a “deemed granted” penalty. This means that if a city misses a deadline, broadband companies could start construction without local approval. This would take away a city’s ability to protect public safety and manage its streets and public rights-of-way.

  • Weaken cable franchising authority. The legislation would permanently exempt bundled broadband services from local franchise agreements and allow providers to unilaterally modify existing agreement terms. This could significantly weaken a city’s ability to enforce local standards and services.

  • Shift dispute resolution. The proposal would move legal disputes from local courts to the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C. This would increase costs and complexity for Minnesota cities when defending local interests.

New MN Bill: Minnesota Digital Choice Act with personal digital data (SF4100)

Posted on by
Reply

The Minnesota Senate will hear about the following this morning:

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Chair: Senator Matt D. Klein

Location: G-15 Capitol

Public Notice Date: 2026-04-23 11:29 AM

Documents added Revision 4

Testifiers must be in person.
Other items may be added to the agenda.
The number of testifiers and length of time permitted is at the discretion of the chair.

Agenda:

New MN Bill: Social media platforms requirements for minors (SF4696)

Posted on by
Reply

The Minnesota Senate will hear about the following this morning:

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Chair: Senator Matt D. Klein

Location: G-15 Capitol

Public Notice Date: 2026-04-23 11:29 AM

Documents added Revision 4

Testifiers must be in person.
Other items may be added to the agenda.
The number of testifiers and length of time permitted is at the discretion of the chair.

Agenda:

Minneapolis City Council to vote on data center moratorium on May 21

Posted on by
Reply

The Minnesota Star Tribune reports...

The city of Minneapolis may put a moratorium on data centers, even as some see the facilities as possible saviors of the downtown commercial tax base, which has plummeted in value in recent years.

Data centers are rapidly being built all over the nation to provide computing power that tech companies need to train artificial intelligence.

But a public backlash has sprung up amid concerns over their electricity demands and water use, and there’s apprehension about supporting a technology that is likely to displace human workers.

Now, the Minneapolis City Council is making moves toward putting a moratorium on the establishment or expansion of data centers in the city.

On Thursday the council scheduled a vote on a moratorium for May 21, giving members time to see whether state lawmakers enact statewide regulations.

The article outlines the perspectives of various council members, which run the gamut of issues we’ve seen in other data center discussions..

The council is largely split on the issue along its usual political divide, with more moderate Democrats worried that a moratorium would put the brakes on an emerging market that could help resuscitate downtown commercial property values, which have been hobbled by the rise of remote work.

House restores ReConnect Funding in FY2027 USDA Bill

Posted on by
Reply

Broadband Breakfast reports…

House appropriators included $40 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect program in their fiscal year 2027 spending bill, restoring funding after the agency proposed eliminating the rural broadband initiative.

The move marks a clear divergence from USDA’s fiscal year 2027 budget request, which proposed no funding for ReConnect, according to agency broadband program requests.

The House Appropriations Committee released the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill on Wednesday, ahead of a subcommittee markup the following day.

Midco’s Scandia fiber project nears completion (Washingonton County)

Posted on by
Reply

The Country Messenger reports…

After years of planning, grant applications and phased construction, Scandia’s long-awaited high-speed internet expansion is entering its final stretch.

Midco, the internet provider in the expansion, has begun construction this month and is projected to complete the project by the end of July. Once complete, the expansion will bring fiber optic internet access to roughly 95% of households in the City of Scandia.

Seeing the project nearing completion is encouraging to Scandia’s Internet Action Committee, which has been working for years to improve internet access for Scandia residents. According to the committee’s chair, Bob Wilmers, the city first partnered with Midco in 2019 when approximately half of the city’s households had access to reliable internet coverage. Since that time, Scandia and Midco have worked together to find funding through local investments and outside grants, including the Minnesota Border to Border Broadband Grant Program.

“In the last seven years, Midco and the city have applied for multiple grants from the State of Minnesota, Washington County, and the Federal Government to provide financial assistance for the expansion of high-speed Internet service in the rest of Scandia,” Wilmers said. “When this project is completed, we’ll have reached about 95% of the households in Scandia for high-speed Internet, doubling the number we started with in 2019.”

The total cost of the expansion is nearly $7 million, according to Wilmers, with the city investing approximately $1 million, which makes up roughly 15% of the overall cost. The remaining funding has been provided through grants and Midco.

Paul Bunyan Communications starts on major fiber expansion in Central Aitkin County

Posted on by
Reply

From Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications has begun construction on a major broadband expansion project in central Aitkin County that will bring its all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone®, to more than 2,400 homes and businesses.
The project area includes the cities of McGregor, Palisade, and Tamarack, as well as portions of Clark, Haugen, Jevne, Libby, Logan, McGregor, Shamrock, and Workman Townships.
Construction is now underway and will continue throughout the summer months. Once completed, residents and businesses in these areas will have access to fast, reliable all-fiber optic Internet and WiFi designed to support everything from streaming and remote work to advanced business operations. Services are expected to become available by winter.
“This is an exciting milestone for this project and for the communities it includes,” said Chad Bullock, CEO and General Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Breaking ground means we’re one step closer to delivering the kind of high-speed, reliable Internet that has become essential for daily life.”
The GigaZone® all-fiber optic network offers speeds up to 10 Gig, providing a significant upgrade over traditional Internet services. In addition to Internet and WiFi, customers will have access to voice services including unlimited local and long-distance calling. Business customers can also take advantage of Managed IT Business Services such as VOIP, Disaster Backup and Recovery, and Network Management.
“This construction represents a major investment in the future of central Aitkin County,” said Leo Anderson, Chief Technology Officer of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Our all-fiber optic network is built for long-term performance, delivering the speed and reliability needed for work, education, healthcare, and business growth.”
Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up for services before construction crews complete work in their area to ensure a connection. There is no membership fee to join the cooperative; membership begins when subscribing to GigaZone® Internet or local phone service.
To check availability or sign up for service, visit www.paulbunyan.net, call, or stop by the Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center.

Paul Bunyan Communication expands broadband in Itasca and St. Louis Counties

Posted on by
Reply

From Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications has started construction on expanding its all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone®, to over 600 more locations in Itasca and St. Louis County across five townships.
This project includes areas south and west of the city of Cook including parts of the following townships: Alango, Carpenter, Field, Sturgeon, and an unorganized township east of Carpenter.
The construction phase of the project is now underway and is expected to take up to three months. Once the fiber optic network is operational, residents and businesses will have access to fast, reliable all-fiber optic Internet and WiFi designed to support everything from streaming and remote work to advanced business operations. Services are expected to become available this fall.
“This is an exciting milestone for this project and for the communities it includes,” said Chad Bullock, CEO and General Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Breaking ground means we’re one step closer to delivering the kind of high-speed, reliable Internet that has become essential for daily life.”
The GigaZone® all-fiber optic network offers speeds up to 10 Gig, providing a significant upgrade over traditional Internet services. In addition to Internet and WiFi, customers will have access to voice services including unlimited local and long-distance calling. Business customers can also take advantage of Managed IT Business Services such as VOIP, Disaster Backup and Recovery, and Network Management.
“This construction represents a major investment in the future of these townships,” said Leo Anderson, Chief Technology Officer of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Our all-fiber optic network is built for long-term performance, delivering the speed and reliability needed for work, education, healthcare, and business growth.”
Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up for services before construction crews complete work in their area to ensure a connection. There is no membership fee to join the cooperative; membership begins when subscribing to GigaZone® Internet or local phone service.
To check availability or sign up for service, visit www.paulbunyan.net, call, or stop by the Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center.
This project is made possible through the State of Minnesota, Department of Employment & Economic Development, Low-Density Population Broadband Infrastructure Development Grant Program. This project is estimated to cost $7,810,355, with the State of Minnesota’s Low-Population Density Program grant contributing $3,924,157, Paul Bunyan Communications investing $2,203,928, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR) investing $1,000,000, St. Louis County investing $583,250, Alango Township $41,200, Field Township $17,800, and Sturgeon Township $40,000.

Mediacom adds more than 400 miles of fiber to services almost 4000 locations

Posted on by
Reply

Broadband Companies reports…

Mediacom Communications said Tuesday it has finished 12 fiber broadband projects across Minnesota ahead of schedule, adding more than 400 miles of last‑mile fiber and bringing service to roughly 3,900 homes and businesses. The company, also known as Mediacom, described the work as a two‑year effort carried out in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), with a combined public‑private investment of more than $24 million.

Company officials said about 90% of the new fiber miles were laid in some of Minnesota’s hardest‑to‑serve areas, including the Iron Range in the state’s north.

Mediacom reported it invested more than $13 million of private capital and used $11 million in DEED grant funding; the carrier also said it leveraged those projects to extend service to an additional 1,600 locations using private dollars.

Libraries, schools and others ask FCC to reject proposed E-Rate bidding portal

Posted on by
Reply

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society reports…

The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition led more than 80 organizations (including the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society) representing schools, libraries, service providers, and education leaders in sending a letter to the Federal Communications Commission urging the agency not to proceed with its proposed competitive bidding portal for the E-Rate program. The groups are concerned that the establishment of a Bidding Portal and its associated complex requirements and procedures, as proposed in the Draft Order, is not only unnecessary but also undermines the good work being done to streamline the E-Rate program. The groups requested that the FCC not proceed with its proposed implementation of the Bidding Portal. If the FCC elects to proceed with the Bidding Portal, the groups urge it to delay implementation until at least Funding Year 2029, hold a public comment proceeding to allow input into the portal’s development, create beta testing with applicants and providers to ensure the portal functions appropriately, and hold training for all applicants and vendors on the portal and new requirements under this order.

MN House Bill passes: , A bill for an act relating to telecommunications (HF4052)

Posted on by
Reply

The Minnesota House reports…

HF4052 (Kresha) Various provisions governing telephone company regulation, facilities and property, pricing plans, service classification, and reporting requirements.

More details…

HF. No. 4052, A bill for an act relating to telecommunications; modifying and clarifying various provisions governing telephone company regulation, facilities and property, pricing plans, service classification, and reporting requirements; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 237.035; 237.036; 237.069; 237.07, subdivision 1; 237.11; 237.164; 237.626, subdivisions 1, 3; 237.66, by adding subdivisions; 237.70, subdivision 7; 237.762, subdivision 5; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 237.065; 237.066; 237.067; 237.071; 237.072; 237.075, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11; 237.14; 237.15; 237.16, subdivision 9; 237.22; 237.231; 237.59, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10; 237.66, subdivisions 1, 1a, 1c, 1d, 2, 2a, 3; 237.75; 237.766; 237.768; 237.772; 237.775.

      The bill was read for the third time and placed upon its final passage.

The question was taken on the passage of the bill and the roll was called.  There were 134 yeas and 0 nays as follows:

The bill was passed and its title agreed to.

Notes from Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems) SHPO

Posted on by
Reply

Today the Office of Broadband Development held a session on Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems). Below are the slides and notes on questions. The information is detailed and the OBD will be posting the archive on their website when available.

Questions:

  • Archeologists are hired to write a report. They should submit the report to SHPO when you send to the clients.
  • Q: Do you expect any permitting streamlining efforts by others to impact MN SHPO processes or requirements?
    A: No. Other entities may need to work with DEED.
    A: BEAD hired Megan to help and that will be huge.
  • This webinar isn’t about BEAD.

Resources shared during the presentation:

Minnesota is Tops for Hospital telehealth adoption by state

Posted on by
Reply

Becker Health IT reports…

Here is the percentage of hospitals that offer telehealth in each state, according to an April analysis by Definitive Healthcare using its proprietary hospital data:

1. Minnesota: 80.8%
2. Michigan: 80.3%
3. Wisconsin: 80.2%
4. South Dakota: 79.2%
5. North Carolina: 78.7%
6. Iowa: 78%
7. Vermont: 76.5%
8. Pennsylvania: 76.4%
9. Oregon: 76.1%
10. Indiana: 73.5%
11. New York: 73.1%
12. Illinois: 72.8%
13. Ohio: 71.9%
14. District of Columbia: 71.4%
15. West Virginia: 71.1%
16. Virginia: 69.7%
17. New Jersey: 69%
18. Massachusetts: 68.7%
19. Missouri: 68.7%
20. Maryland: 67.6%
21. Connecticut: 67.3%
22. Delaware: 66.7%
23. Utah: 64.3%
24. Montana: 64.2%
25. Kentucky: 63.8%
26. Nebraska: 62.7%
27. Washington: 57.5%
28. Arizona: 57.4%
29. North Dakota: 57.1%
30. South Carolina: 55.8%
31. Rhode Island: 55.6%
32. California: 55.1%
33. Oklahoma: 55%
34. Maine: 55%
35. Tennessee: 52%
36. Alaska: 51.7%
37. New Hampshire: 51.4%
38. Texas: 51.4%
39. Idaho: 50%
40. Colorado: 48.8%
41. Mississippi: 48%
42. Florida: 47.8%
43. Georgia: 47.7%
44. Wyoming: 47.2%
45. Arkansas: 47.1%
46. Alabama: 46.5%
47. Nevada: 45.1%
48. Louisiana: 43%
49. New Mexico: 42.6%
50. Kansas: 40%
51. Hawaii: 32.3%

 

OBD Broadband Update April 23, 2026: Conference, Task Force, Line Extension

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Register today! April 29, Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit
  • Broadband Task Force, April meeting plans
  • Line Extension Connection Program, Round 5 updates
  • Virtual Broadband Development Training Series, final session today, April 23

Register today! April 29, Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Broadband Development is hosting the Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. This in-person event will bring together national leaders, internet service providers, federal, state, tribal, and local government partners, and broadband advocates from across Minnesota. Connecting people to resources, information, and each other is critical to Minnesota’s economic stability and digital opportunity. Afternoon breakout sessions will cover key topics on BEAD implementation, as well as sessions on permitting, mapping, and digital skills.

The summit will be held at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center (6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center, MN 55434).
We are committed to providing equal access to this conference for all participants. If you need alternative formats or other reasonable accommodations, please contact mndeedevents@state.mn.us by the close of business on Friday, April 17, 2026.

Broadband Task Force, April meeting plans

The Broadband Task Force will be meeting on Wednesday, April 29 from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. CT during the Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit. This meeting will be held in-person and is open to anyone from the public to attend, however, tickets are required to enter. Registration information is available above and on the event webpage.

More information on this and past meetings can be found on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

Line Extension Connection Program, Round 5 updates

The Round 5 Provider Bidding Application and Line Extension Program Guide, with guidance for the fast-tracked round, have been posted to the Line Extension Connection Program webpage along with an expected timeline (dates subject to change):

  • Bidding Window Opened: April 22, 2026
  • Bids Due: May 22, 2026 by 1:30 p.m. CT 

Registration remains open for residents and businesses for future rounds of the Line Extension Connection Program and OBD expects to announce a sixth round of the program with standard timelines using state funds later in 2026.

More information and registration are available on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage. For assistance completing the application or to request a paper form to complete, please call 651-259-7610 or email DEED.broadband@state.mn.us.

Virtual Broadband Development Training Series, final session today, April 23

OBD has been working alongside other state agencies on streamlining environmental reviews and permitting efforts for broadband infrastructure projects across Minnesota. Originally held in 2024, this April, OBD and state agency partners will offer four new webinar sessions through a revised Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems).

The final session will feature an overview from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) on processes and updates, including how to submit archaeological survey reports as part of review.

This session will be recorded and shared on the OBD Webinars and Recorded Events webpage.