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.

Watonwan County broadband ranking has slipped from 31 to 34. Although the actually coverage has increased since last year.

New Ulm Telecom did get a state grant in the last round of funding that should help with Watonwan’s ranking…

New Ulm Telecom, Hanska A&D FTTP – $324,894. This last mile project will serve 9 unserved households and 38 unserved businesses in the Hanska area south of New Ulm near the border of Brown and Watonwan Counties. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, New Ulm Telecom, Inc. will improve broadband service levels to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2026 state speed goal. This Fiber-to-the-Premises network will provide reliable, affordable, high quality broadband to rural farms, businesses, and homes. Broadband access will enable these businesses and residences to use new technology and tools to grow and enhance their business and community, including increased access to health care and education. The total eligible cost is $721,988, with a $397,094 local match.

Also AT&T has announced investment in the area and Mediacom has announced Gigupgrades in the county, specifically Butterfield and St James.

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: 34

• Find more articles on broadband in Watonwan County (http://tinyurl.com/jpnf6xv)
• There is a matrix of Minnesota broadband adoption projects.
• Districts: CD 1
  Senate: 23
  House: 23A, 23B