I am doing the annual look at broadband in each county – based on maps from the Office of Broadband Development and news gathered from the last year.

Faribault ranking has dipped from 44 to 60. They are one of the few counties in Minnesota where the broadband was deemed non-competitive for business by the FCC.But they are served by providers that are interested in improvements. Last year after posting the county profile I heard from the folks are BEVCOMM…

Faribault County is mostly served by BEVCOMM and Mediacom. BEVCOMM is a rural ILEC that is not covered by CAF 2 funding, but has recently opted to accept ACAM model support, which will replace rural High Cost USF support.

BEVCOMM is a motivated local provider, making a concerted effort to serve the area’s broadband needs. It has received two Border to Border broadband grants in the last two years in Faribault County, and another 4 grants in other rural areas it serves in Freeborn, Martin and LeSueur counties. The local match for these grants was entirely funded by BEVCOMM, without any local city, township or county funds.

Last summer, Faribault County hosted a national broadband listening session. They have also heard from local providers about the need for state funding to make broadband economically viable…

However, Minnesota’s Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program has helped companies like Bevcomm serve these kinds of customers. In 2017, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced $26 million in grants were awarded to 39 broadband projects statewide.

“That is the difference between making these projects economically viable,” Beattie said.

Info on Access:

The speeds reflect the Minnesota speed goals:

• 25 Mbps down and 3 up by 2022
• 100 Mbps down and 20 up by 2026

Current ranking for 100/20 access: 60

• Find more articles on broadband in Faribault County. (http://tinyurl.com/jzwv3gx)
• Districts: CD 1
  Senate: 23, 27
  House: 23A, 27A