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.
Steele County have moved from 8 to 46 but I think this is one of those counties where either there’s a huge difference between wired and fixed wireless connections or there has been some sort of correction going on. Either way I think we can at least look at what’s going on.
It does get to the need for consistent mapping and having people look at the mapping. Steele County has also been one of those counties that appears to be doing well, but frankly I hear very little about them, which can be a good or a bad sign. I tend to hear about the extremes.
Mediacom has announced plans to upgrade to Gig in Blooming Prairie. AT&T has announced investments in the area. Steel County representatives are on board with broadband, Representative Daniels notes that technology-friendly policy is important to MN economic development.
Info on Access:
| Speeds | % served 2017 | % served 2018 |
| 25/3 | 99.86 | 87.79 |
| 100/20 | 95.64 | 56.16 |
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: 46
- Find more articles on broadband in Steele County (http://tinyurl.com/zd4qhbu)
- There is a matrix of Minnesota broadband adoption projects.
- Districts: CD 1
Senate: 24, 27
House: 24A, 24B, 27A