Today the Post Bulletin ran a letter to the editor from Brent Christensen – who represent many of the broadband providers in Minnesota. Mike is the executive director of the Minnesota Cable Communications Association and Brent Christensen is the president of the Minnesota Telecom Alliance.

They ask policymakers to look at outdated telecom regulations to support broadband providers in their ongoing efforts to serve broadband to rural areas…

If we are going to have high-speed, affordable broadband Internet access across the state, the most important thing the state can do is create a modern, competitive regulatory system, operating at the speed of commerce, which creates an environment that incentivizes critical private investment.

They detail the state of broadband funding…

While these public policy conversations were taking place, broadband providers were busy working to improve and expand our state’s networks. Cable, telephone and cell, all competitors, deliver Minnesotans first class access to high-speed broadband (Internet) connections. They are proud to provide this critical 21st century technology that is at the core of innovation and economic competitiveness.

Over the last few years, the private sector in Minnesota has invested more than $2 billion in broadband infrastructure, with much of this going to rural and isolated areas of the state. As a result of these investments, the vast majority of Minnesotan’s have access to an Internet connection that meets or exceeds the Federal Communications Commission’s minimum standard for service, commonly referred to as the homework standard. If you include wireless broadband, the coverage grows. And, most of us have Internet speeds that meet or exceed even the aspirational goals set by federal and state leaders.

To further support broadband network expansion in Minnesota Connect America, funded by fees on wire-line phone service, will award more than $500 million to improve service in unserved areas during the next six years. Additionally, the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development awarded $20 million in taxpayer-funded grants this year to expand service in under and unserved areas and announced another $10 million will be made available in 2016.

And ask the policymakers specifically to look at regulations…

The federal government has fostered a free and open Internet worldwide and pre-empted states from regulating Voice over Internet Protocol and related services. Unfortunately, Minnesota state leaders have not yet modernized our state’s out of date Internet regulations. Even as doing so costs taxpayers nothing and would better position our state to compete and grow high-tech businesses and jobs.