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.

Traverse County broadband ranking has dipped from 50 to 56.

I don’t hear a lot about Traverse County but they did come up in a regional broadband discussion hosted by Blandin Foundation. Someone asked for an update on the county…

What was the story in Traverse County?
They found an interested provider in the area. They cut a deal where the county lent the company money and provided some easier access to towers. Once the provider got a certain number of providers, they had to look at paying back the loan. They’ve been successful. It’s wireless. It’s maybe not 25/3 but it’s better than what people had before.
Wireless isn’t wireless – it’s wireless to a tower that needs fiber.
Fixed wireless isn’t a long terms acceptable solution for Minnesota. They are akin to party lines. MY connectivity cannot depend on my neighbor’s trees (or on whether they build a new barn).
But fixed wireless is working in places like Renville Sibley County – where people can get fixed wireless and are happy to have it until FTTH becomes available.

Mediacom has announced upgrades to Gig service in parts of Traverse County, specifically Wheaton.

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: 56

• Find more articles on broadband in Traverse County (http://tinyurl.com/gmvojv8)
• There is a matrix of Minnesota broadband adoption projects.
• Districts: CD 7
  Senate: 12
  House: 12A