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.

Olmsted County is holding strong with a broadband ranking of 62 this year and last. Their access to 100/20 has increased that’s good news.

The county would like to see access outside of Rochester keep up with access in the city to allow for telecommuting, home-based businesses and attract potential workers at the Mayo Clinic.

Late in 2016, KMTelecom received a Minnesota broadband grant to improve access…

KMTelecom has received a 2016 matching state grant of just more than $764,000 to serve 195 unserved households, nine unserved businesses, the Mantorville Township building, and a small section of west-central Olmsted County.

It’s difficult to know if that project is reflected in the latest survey.

Mediacom has announced upgrades to service in Chatfield, Dover Twp, which should have launched in Summer of 2017.

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: 62

• Find more articles on broadband in Olmsted County (http://tinyurl.com/gmslyhe)
• There is a matrix of Minnesota broadband adoption projects.
• Districts: CD 1
  Senate: 25, 26
  House: 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B