Monthly Archives: April 2024

Office of Broadband Development training on utility license application and process

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Today was the final session of Broadband Development Tuesday Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems). In this training, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cover information on the utility license application and process. (Content from the series is recorded and posted to the Office of Broadband Development’s webpage.)

Questions:

Is Forestry a separate division?
Yes. But we can coordinate with them.
Ecological water division is another division. We can help with coordination.

When will the PWI map be made into a GIS format?
Not in process now. We’re working on getting the application process and payment online.

About aerial – dealing with different areas. Is it better to go aerial or is boring OK too? Which is better overhead or trenching?
It depends on the case. Aerial isn’t always preferable in a nature reserve.
We want to limit natural resource impact.
Rules in natural area, try to avoid it, if you can’t bury it.

FCC Fines Largest Wireless Carriers for Sharing Location Data

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From the FCC…

Today, the Federal Communications Commission fined the nation’s largest wireless carriers for illegally sharing access to customers’ location information without consent and without taking reasonable measures to protect that information against unauthorized disclosure.  Sprint and T-Mobile – which have merged since the investigation began – face fines of more than $12 million and $80 million, respectively.  AT&T is fined more than $57 million, and Verizon is fined almost $47 million.

“Our communications providers have access to some of the most sensitive information about us.  These carriers failed to protect the information entrusted to them. Here, we are talking about some of the most sensitive data in their possession: customers’ real-time location information, revealing where they go and who they are,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “As we resolve these cases – which were first proposed by the last Administration – the Commission remains committed to holding all carriers accountable and making sure they fulfill their obligations to their customers as stewards of this most private data.”

The FCC Enforcement Bureau investigations of the four carriers found that each carrier sold access to its customers’ location information to “aggregators,” who then resold access to such information to third-party location-based service providers.  In doing so, each carrier attempted to offload its obligations to obtain customer consent onto downstream recipients of location information, which in many instances meant that no valid customer consent was obtained.  This initial failure was compounded when, after becoming aware that their safeguards were ineffective, the carriers continued to sell access to location information without taking reasonable measures to protect it from unauthorized access.

Under the law, including section 222 of the Communications Act, carriers are required to take reasonable measures to protect certain customer information, including location information.  Carriers are also required to maintain the confidentiality of such customer information and to obtain affirmative, express customer consent before using, disclosing, or allowing access to such information.  These obligations apply equally when carriers share customer information with third parties.

“The protection and use of sensitive personal data such as location information is sacrosanct,” said Loyaan A. Egal, Chief of the FCC Enforcement Bureau and Chair of its Privacy and Data Protection Task Force.  “When placed in the wrong hands or used for nefarious purposes, it puts all of us at risk.  Foreign adversaries and cybercriminals have prioritized getting their hands on this information, and that is why ensuring service providers have reasonable protections in place to safeguard customer location data and valid consent for its use is of the highest priority for the Enforcement Bureau.”

The investigations that led to today’s fines started following public reports that customers’ location information was being disclosed by the largest American wireless carriers without customer consent or other legal authorization to a Missouri Sheriff through a “location-finding service” operated by Securus, a provider of communications services to correctional facilities, to track the location of numerous individuals.  Yet, even after being made aware of this unauthorized access, all four carriers continued to operate their programs without putting in place reasonable safeguards to ensure that the dozens of location-based service providers with access to their customers’ location information were actually obtaining customer consent.

The Forfeiture Orders announced today finalize Notices of Apparent Liability (NAL) issued against these carriers in February 2020.  The fine amount for AT&T and Sprint are unchanged since the NAL stage.  Both the T-Mobile and Verizon fines were reduced following further review of the parties’ submissions in response to the NALs.  The law does not permit forfeiture amounts for specified violations to escalate after issuance of an NAL.

The Forfeiture Orders are available here:

In 2023, the Chairwoman established the Privacy and Data Protection Task Force, an FCC staff working group focused on coordinating across the agency on the rulemaking, enforcement, and public awareness needs in the privacy and data protection sectors, including data breaches (such as those involving telecommunications providers) and vulnerabilities involving third-party vendors that service regulated communications providers.  More information on the Task Force is available at: https://www.fcc.gov/privacy-and-data-protection-task-force.

It’s like finding your toddler in the backyard alone. Happy you found her, yet so many questions.

MN House Committee report on bill related to broadband grant fund transfer and federal application

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I have been following the bill related to broadband grant fund transfer and federal application (SF4942 and H.F. No. 4975). I see an update in the Journal of the House April 29, 2024 Reports of Standing Committees and Reports notes…

ARTICLE 8 BROADBAND

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.396, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4. Transfer. The commissioner may transfer up to $5,000,000 of a fiscal year appropriation between the border-to-border broadband program, low density population broadband program, and the broadband line extension program to meet demand.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment

Sec. 2. BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT; APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FUNDING; APPROPRIATION.

(a) The commissioner of employment and economic development must prepare and submit an application to the United States Department of Commerce requesting State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Funding made available under Public Law 117-58, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

(b) The amount awarded to Minnesota pursuant to the application submitted under paragraph (a) is appropriated to the commissioner of employment and economic development for purposes of the commissioner’s Minnesota Digital Opportunity Plan.

EVENT May 21-22: Telehealth Everywhere

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gpTRAC is hosting a conference – Telehealth Everywhere – in Bloomington, MN on May 21-22.

Here’s more info…

TELEHEALTH EVERYWHERE! is an annual regional telehealth conference for executives, providers, managers, and staff engaged in the operational aspects of telehealth. We focus on delivering information and experiences that will help drive your organization’s telehealth program forward into the future while also providing foundational information for telehealth beginners.

Target Audience

This conference is for anyone involved in telehealth! It focuses primarily on operational aspects of telehealth, including policy, billing, reimbursement, workflows, performance evaluation, best practices, training, technology optimization, and quality measurement. Whether or not you find exactly what you are looking for, you will definitely find friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful people working to advance telehealth in a variety of settings. There is always something for everyone!

Your Hosts – The Telehealth Resource Centers

TELEHEALTH EVERYWHERE! is hosted by two federally funded telehealth resource centers (TRCs). The Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center covers six states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, and North & South Dakota) and is located at the University of Minnesota. The Heartland Telehealth Resource Center, located at the University of Kansas Medical Center, aims to increase adoption of telehealth in order to better serve rural and underserved residents in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. This is the second year these TRCs have co-hostd this conference to build partnerships across the greater Midwest region. All TRCs work to provide information and training for all aspects of telehealth with a focus on providers serving rural and underserved populations.

 

EVENTS: Tech classes for nonprofits from MN Council of Nonprofits

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I thought the following classes from MN Council of Nonprofits might be of interest to some readers…

Tech Tools and Techniques to Boost Efficiency
Wednesday, May 22  |  1pm – 3pm  |  Virtual
Discover concrete ways to take advantage of technology to complete tasks, get work done, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks, from your inbox to workflow automation.
Register

Intentionally Building Community Across Cultures
Wednesday, May 22  |  9am – 11am  |  Virtual
Explore the ways biases have interfered in building authentic relationships with colleagues and community members.
Register

Spotlight: Cybersecurity for Nonprofits
Friday, June 21  |  9am – 3:30pm  |  Virtual
In this day-long training, learn need-to-know trends in cybersecurity that will help prepare you for a safe and secure future including AI, ransomware, and cyber insurance.
Register

HF5217: labor and industry supplemental budget bill includes $1.3 million for Office of Broadband Development

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Yesterday the MN House Ways and Means committee met to talk about a broad range of topics in an effort to condense items for swift passing. The topic that might be of interest to readers, was the A9 Amendment, where the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) asked for more FTEs for the Office of Broadband Development at $1.376 million. The amendment was approved.

Here’s more info from the House Journal...

From the budget…

$1,736,000 the second year is for implementation of the broadband provisions in article 10.

And more info on article 10…

ARTICLE 10
BROADBAND AND PIPELINE SAFETY
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.395, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. Awarding grants. (a) In evaluating applications and awarding grants, the commissioner shall give
priority to applications that are constructed in areas identified by the director of the Office of Broadband
Development as unserved.
(b) In evaluating applications and awarding grants, the commissioner may give priority to applications that:
(1) are constructed in areas identified by the director of the Office of Broadband Development as underserved;
(2) offer new or substantially upgraded broadband service to important community institutions including, but not
limited to, libraries, educational institutions, public safety facilities, and healthcare facilities;
(3) facilitate the use of telehealth and electronic health records;
(4) serve economically distressed areas of the state, as measured by indices of unemployment, poverty, or
population loss that are significantly greater than the statewide average;

(5) provide technical support and train residents, businesses, and institutions in the community served by the
project to utilize broadband service;
(6) include a component to actively promote the adoption of the newly available broadband services in the
community;
(7) provide evidence of strong support for the project from citizens, government, businesses, and institutions in
the community;
(8) provide access to broadband service to a greater number of unserved or underserved households and
businesses; or
(9) leverage greater amounts of funding for the project from other private and public sources.
(c) The commissioner shall endeavor to award grants under this section to qualified applicants in all regions of
the state.
(d) No less than the following percentages of the total border-to-border broadband grant funds awarded in the
year indicated shall be reserved for applicants that agree to implement the workforce best practices as defined in
paragraph (e):
(1) 50 percent in 2024;
(2) 60 percent in 2025; and
(3) 70 percent in 2026 and thereafter.
The applicant’s agreement to implement the workforce best practices as defined in paragraph (e) must be an express
condition of providing the grant in the grant agreement.
(e) An applicant for a grant under this section is considered to implement workforce best practices only if the
applicant can demonstrate that:
(1) there is credible evidence of support for the application and the applicant’s workforce needs on the project for
which the grant is provided from one or more labor, labor-management, or other workforce organizations that have a
track record of representing and advocating for workers or recruiting, training, and securing employment for people
of color, Indigenous people, women, or people with disabilities in the construction industry; and
(2) all laborers and mechanics performing construction, installation, remodeling, or repairs on the project sites
for which the grant is provided:
(i) are paid the prevailing wage rate as defined in section 177.42, subdivision 6, and the applicant and all of its
construction contractors and subcontractors agree that the payment of prevailing wage to such laborers and
mechanics is subject to the requirements and enforcement provisions under sections 177.27, 177.30, 177.32, 177.41
to 177.435, and 177.45, which the commissioner of labor and industry shall have the authority to enforce; or
(ii) receive from their employer:
(A) at least 80 hours of skills training annually, of which at least 40 hours must consist of hands-on instruction;
(B) employer-paid family health insurance coverage; and

(C) employer-paid retirement benefit payments equal to no less than 15 percent of the employee’s total taxable
wages.
(f) In the event that the commissioner does not receive enough qualified applications to achieve the standards
under paragraph (d), the commissioner shall consult with prospective applicants and labor and workforce
organizations under paragraph (e), clause (1), to solicit additional qualified applications.
Sec. 2. [116J.3991] BROADBAND, EQUITY, ACCESS, AND DEPLOYMENT (BEAD).
Subdivision 1. Implementation. The commissioner shall implement a Broadband, Equity, Access, and
Deployment (BEAD) Program that prioritizes applicants for state funding that demonstrate the following:
(1) commitment by the applicant to robust training programs with established requirements that are tied to
uniform wage scales, job titles, and relevant certifications or skill codes;
(2) use of a directly employed workforce, as opposed to a subcontracted workforce, to perform broadband
placing, splicing, and maintenance work. Public entity applicants may meet this requirement by use of a directly
employed workforce or committing to contract with an Internet service provider that will use a directly employed
workforce;
(3) commitment to implement workforce best practices under section 116J.395, subdivision 6, paragraph (e), on
the project or projects for which the applicant seeks public funding; and
(4) commitment to retaining a locally based workforce and establishing programs to promote training and hiring
pipelines for underrepresented communities.
Subd. 2. Project evaluation. In projects funded by the BEAD Program, the criteria under subdivision 1 and
section 116J.395, subdivision 6, paragraph (e), shall receive a priority point allocation in the point scheme for
project applications, such that these criteria shall, together with points awarded for labor law compliance, constitute
no fewer than 25 points of the evaluation scheme, out of 100. No fewer than 20 points must be based on an
applicant’s forward-looking commitments regarding implementation of workforce best practices and other
commitments listed in this section.
Subd. 3. Disclosures. Applicants’ disclosures responding to the criteria in subdivision 1 and section 116J.395,
subdivision 6, paragraph (e), must be publicly available on the department website, and all workforce commitments
made under this section and section 116J.395 shall become enforceable, certified commitments and conditions of the
grant.
Subd. 4. Workforce plan data. (a) Grantees in projects funded by the program under this section and section
116J.395 are required to provide in biannual reports information on their workforce, including:
(1) whether the workforce will be directly employed by the grantee or the Internet service provider or whether
work will be performed by a subcontracted workforce;
(2) the entities that the contractor plans to subcontract with in carrying out the proposed work, if any, and the
entity employing the workforce in each job title;
(3) the job titles and size of the workforce, including the number of full-time equivalent positions that are
required to carry out the proposed work over the course of the project;

(4) for each job title required to carry out the proposed work, a description of wages, benefits, applicable wage
scales including overtime rates, and a description of how wages are calculated; and
(5) any other workforce plan information as determined by the commissioner.
(b) Following an award, the workforce plan and the requirement to submit ongoing workforce reports shall be
incorporated as material conditions of the contract with the department and become enforceable, certified
commitments. The commissioner must conduct regular reviews to assure compliance and take appropriate measures
for enforcement.
Subd. 5. Failure to meet requirements or falsification of data. If successful applicants fail to meet the
program requirements under this section, or otherwise falsify information regarding such requirements, the
commissioner shall investigate the failure and issue an appropriate action, up to and including a determination that
the applicant is ineligible for future participation in broadband grant programs funded by the department.
Subd. 6. Federal grant requirements. The commissioner shall have authority not to enforce or apply any
requirement of this section to the extent that the requirement would prevent the state from receiving federal
broadband grant funding.

And more info on the broadband installers training and compensation…

Sec. 3. [181.912] UNDERGROUND TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE.
Subdivision 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
(1) “directional drilling” means a drilling method that utilizes a steerable drill bit to cut a bore hole for installing
underground utilities;
(2) “safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer” means a person who has completed
underground utilities installation certification under subdivision 3;
(3) “underground telecommunications utilities” means buried broadband, telephone and other
telecommunications transmission, distribution and service lines, and associated facilities; and
(4) “underground utilities” means buried electric transmission and distribution lines, gas and hazardous liquids
pipelines and distribution lines, sewer and water pipelines, telephone or telecommunications lines, and associated
facilities.
Subd. 2. Installation requirements. The installation of underground telecommunications infrastructure that is
located within ten feet of existing underground utilities or that crosses said utilities must be performed by
safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers as follows:
(1) the location of existing utilities by hand or hydro excavation or other accepted methods must be performed
by a safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer;
(2) where telecommunications infrastructure is installed by means of directional drilling, the monitoring of the
location and depth of the drill head must be performed by a safety-qualified underground telecommunications
installer; and
(3) no less than two safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers must be present at all times at
any location where telecommunications infrastructure is being installed by means of directional drilling.

Subd. 3. Certification Standards. (a) The commissioner of labor and industry shall approve standards for a
safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer certification program that requires a person to:
(1) complete a 40-hour initial course that includes classroom and hands-on instruction covering proper work
procedures for safe installation of underground utilities, including:
(i) regulations applicable to excavation near existing utilities;
(ii) identification, location, and verification of utility lines using hand or hydro excavation or other accepted
methods;
(iii) response to line strike incidents;
(iv) traffic control procedures;
(v) use of a tracking device to safely guide directional drill equipment along a drill path; and
(vi) avoidance and mitigation of safety hazards posed by underground utility installation projects;
(2) demonstrate knowledge of the course material by successfully completing an examination approved by the
commissioner; and
(3) complete a four-hour refresher course within three years of completing the original course and every three
years thereafter in order to maintain certification.
(b) The commissioner must develop an approval process for training providers under this subdivision, and may
suspend or revoke the approval of any training provider that fails to demonstrate consistent delivery of approved
curriculum or success in preparing participants to complete the examination.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.17, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 9. Telecommunications and cable communications systems. (a) The commission has authority under
this section to investigate, upon complaint or on its own motion, conduct by or on behalf of a telecommunications
carrier, telephone company, or cable communications system provider that impacts public utility or cooperative
electric association infrastructure. If the commission finds that the conduct damaged or unreasonably interfered
with the function of the infrastructure, the commission may take any action authorized under sections 216B.52 to
216B.61 with respect to the provider.
(b) For purposes of this subdivision:
(1) “telecommunications carrier” has the meaning given in section 237.01, subdivision 6;
(2) “telephone company” has the meaning given in section 237.01, subdivision 7; and
(3) “cable communications system provider” means an owner or operator of a cable communications system as
defined in section 238.02, subdivision 3.

 

FCC reports on broadband adoption in States and Counties

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The FCC reports on the status of broadband access…

Access to affordable, reliable broadband is essential to full participation in modern life. Consumers rely on both their fixed and mobile connections to work, learn, access health care, and connect with each other. Today, we issue this Report pursuant to our obligation under section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, concluding our inquiry into whether “advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion.”1 We find that more work remains to ensure that all Americans have access to advanced telecommunications capability.

They are using a new resource…

This Report also represents an important milestone with regard to the data that we use for our inquiry. For the first time, we use data from the Commission’s Broadband Data Collection (BDC). The Commission’s Section 706 Reports have for many years relied primarily on the FCC Form 477 deployment data to evaluate consumers’ broadband options for fixed and mobile services.3 The BDC data, unavailable for past section 706 inquiries, represent significant improvements over FCC Form 477 data, through the use of more precise location-by-location fixed data, mobile data based on standardized parameters, and the Commission’s ability to improve the data through public challenge processes and conducting verifications and audits of provider-reported data.

Based on our evaluation of the data, we find that our universal service goals for section 706 have not been met, and we therefore conclude that advanced telecommunications capability is not being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion. Most significantly, at present, 100/20 Mbps terrestrial fixed broadband service4 has not been physically deployed to approximately 7% of Americans. Rural areas and Tribal lands significantly trail more urban areas, with approximately 28% of people living in rural areas and approximately 23% of people living on Tribal lands lacking access to 100/20 Mbps fixed broadband services.5 While we expect the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and other federal and state programs will narrow these divides in the coming years, at this time, we find that these physical deployment shortcomings are sufficient to warrant a negative finding under section 706 before we even begin to consider our other universal service goals, for which we hope to have more comprehensive data available in future inquiries.

At a high level here’s how Minnesota stands:

  25/3 Mbps 100/20 Mbps 940/500 Mbps
Including Fixed Wireless 76.5% 32.1% 8.3%
Excluding Fixed Wireless 76.1% 32.3% 8.3%

Here are the stats by county

  Pop Evaluated % with fixed 100/20 % with mobile 5G-NR 35/3 % with fixed & mobile Pop density Per capita income
Minnesota 5,717,184 94.3% 88.8% 85.4% 71.8 $44,947
Aitkin County 16,126 69.5% 48.5% 38.5% 8.9 $32,980
Anoka County 368,864 97.5% 97.0% 94.8% 874.2 $43,106
Becker County 35,371 81.0% 49.9% 44.2% 26.9 $38,444
Beltrami County 46,799 99.2% 54.5% 54.4% 18.7 $32,055
Benton County 41,463 88.4% 94.1% 83.1% 101.6 $35,885
Big Stone County 5,144 98.9% 24.3% 24.0% 10.3 $35,797
Blue Earth County 69,631 97.0% 82.9% 80.4% 93.1 $35,182
Brown County 25,723 94.5% 72.6% 70.9% 42.1 $35,340
Carlton County 36,708 60.6% 58.8% 41.7% 42.6 $35,642
Carver County 110,034 98.9% 99.0% 98.0% 310.8 $55,216
Cass County 31,274 63.7% 55.3% 39.9% 15.5 $34,505
Chippewa County 12,284 99.1% 66.4% 65.9% 21.1 $32,772
Chisago County 57,988 76.2% 92.4% 72.4% 139.8 $41,814
Clay County 65,929 99.3% 90.1% 89.9% 63.1 $36,586
Clearwater County 8,649 99.2% 53.3% 53.0% 8.7 $31,879
Cook County 5,708 95.2% 54.0% 53.3% 3.9 $44,316
Cottonwood County 11,356 88.7% 76.6% 71.1% 17.7 $32,818
Crow Wing County 67,948 88.2% 71.0% 65.6% 68.1 $36,878
Dakota County 443,341 99.2% 99.3% 98.6% 788.1 $48,894
Dodge County 20,981 99.9% 72.1% 72.1% 47.8 $42,838
Douglas County 39,668 84.6% 56.2% 51.2% 62.3 $41,889
Faribault County 13,926 86.2% 49.2% 43.2% 19.5 $35,307
Fillmore County 21,414 86.0% 63.4% 58.6% 24.9 $35,645
Freeborn County 30,718 99.4% 70.6% 70.2% 43.4 $36,751
Goodhue County 48,013 94.0% 73.5% 71.7% 63.5 $40,087
Grant County 6,136 82.2% 39.1% 36.7% 11.2 $36,750
Hennepin County 1,260,121 99.3% 99.8% 99.1% 2,274.4 $55,199
Houston County 18,800 84.5% 49.1% 46.9% 34.1 $39,340
Hubbard County 21,960 92.3% 56.2% 52.7% 23.7 $36,944
Isanti County 42,727 59.7% 83.9% 56.8% 98.1 $38,609
Itasca County 45,205 92.8% 62.3% 59.4% 16.9 $34,528
Jackson County 9,893 95.5% 56.6% 54.1% 14.1 $37,818
Kanabec County 16,463 27.4% 59.8% 25.1% 31.6 $33,805
Kandiyohi County 43,839 95.7% 85.8% 82.5% 55.0 $35,814
Kittson County 4,059 95.2% 34.0% 33.9% 3.7 $35,565
Koochiching County 11,844 83.1% 52.0% 49.2% 3.8 $36,515
Lac qui Parle County 6,689 100.0% 43.7% 43.7% 8.7 $37,520
Lake County 10,939 90.6% 75.2% 71.5% 5.2 $39,930
Lake of the Woods County 3,871 80.9% 57.6% 53.3% 3.0 $35,308
Le Sueur County 29,153 98.5% 78.0% 77.3% 65.0 $41,400
Lincoln County 5,580 99.1% 41.6% 41.1% 10.4 $35,638
Lyon County 25,262 99.9% 78.0% 77.9% 35.4 $35,256
Mahnomen County 5,328 71.3% 38.0% 32.8% 9.6 $24,710
Marshall County 8,861 94.6% 45.3% 44.7% 5.0 $35,920
Martin County 19,650 98.6% 62.1% 61.9% 27.6 $35,152
McLeod County 36,714 97.5% 97.2% 95.0% 74.7 $39,361
Meeker County 23,496 92.9% 80.5% 75.5% 38.6 $37,233
Mille Lacs County 27,280 81.7% 76.8% 65.9% 47.7 $33,933
Morrison County 34,246 82.0% 63.8% 54.0% 30.4 $34,269
Mower County 40,140 98.7% 75.6% 75.4% 56.4 $33,921
Murray County 8,060 98.8% 61.3% 60.8% 11.4 $38,783
Nicollet County 34,441 93.0% 83.4% 79.2% 76.8 $41,658
Nobles County 21,947 96.0% 79.7% 77.3% 30.7 $29,786
Norman County 6,377 87.7% 50.2% 46.9% 7.3 $36,245
Olmsted County 164,020 99.1% 97.5% 96.9% 251.0 $49,799
Otter Tail County 60,519 75.9% 49.4% 41.8% 30.7 $37,202
Pennington County 13,845 98.7% 75.0% 74.4% 22.5 $37,342
Pine County 29,446 48.8% 57.7% 37.6% 20.9 $32,335
Pipestone County 9,355 99.0% 59.8% 59.5% 20.1 $34,973
Polk County 30,731 99.0% 66.9% 66.7% 15.6 $34,273
Pope County 11,431 91.6% 35.0% 32.7% 17.1 $38,905
Ramsey County 536,413 99.6% 99.9% 99.5% 3,523.3 $43,203
Red Lake County 3,874 94.7% 62.2% 61.7% 9.0 $35,198
Redwood County 15,361 80.5% 54.7% 49.8% 17.5 $33,175
Renville County 14,525 97.9% 61.4% 60.7% 14.8 $34,554
Rice County 67,693 96.4% 93.5% 90.5% 136.5 $37,050
Rock County 9,537 97.7% 22.9% 21.9% 19.8 $38,472
Roseau County 15,292 94.8% 61.3% 58.8% 9.1 $36,125
Scott County 154,520 98.9% 99.2% 98.2% 433.7 $51,259
Sherburne County 100,824 89.1% 95.7% 85.9% 232.9 $41,412
Sibley County 14,955 94.6% 73.1% 71.3% 25.4 $37,919
St. Louis County 199,532 79.2% 86.3% 74.0% 31.9 $37,850
Stearns County 160,405 92.5% 95.3% 88.7% 119.5 $36,087
Steele County 37,398 100.0% 68.8% 68.8% 87.0 $40,146
Stevens County 9,637 98.2% 24.3% 24.2% 17.1 $38,425
Swift County 9,755 99.2% 27.4% 27.2% 13.1 $35,595
Todd County 25,538 63.9% 52.8% 39.9% 27.0 $30,812
Traverse County 3,275 82.3% 45.5% 43.3% 5.7 $36,023
Wabasha County 21,658 93.7% 57.9% 57.3% 41.4 $40,471
Wadena County 14,307 99.3% 36.9% 36.8% 26.7 $28,011
Waseca County 18,893 100.0% 77.5% 77.5% 44.6 $35,814
Washington County 275,912 94.8% 97.7% 93.2% 717.2 $54,418
Watonwan County 11,075 100.0% 76.0% 76.0% 25.5 $34,363
Wilkin County 6,350 84.5% 63.6% 58.8% 8.5 $38,317
Winona County 49,478 97.1% 51.7% 51.1% 79.0 $34,889
Wright County 148,003 86.9% 98.8% 86.5% 223.9 $43,067
Yellow Medicine County 9,486 99.5% 56.3% 56.0% 12.5 $36,737
             
Tribal Areas 39,095 78.7% 41.3% 31.7%    

And a deep dive into state stats…

Continue reading →

Today FCC Restores Net Neutrality

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From the FCC...

The Federal Communications Commission today voted to restore a national standard to ensure the internet is fast, open, and fair.  Today’s decision to reclassify broadband service as a Title II telecommunications service allows the FCC to protect consumers, defend national security, and advance public safety.

Through its actions today, the Commission creates a national standard by which it can ensure that broadband internet service is treated as an essential service.  Today’s vote also makes clear that the Commission will exercise its authority over broadband in a narrowly tailored fashion—without rate regulation, tariffing, or unbundling—to foster continued innovation and investment.

 With today’s vote, the Commission restores fundamental authority to provide effective oversight over broadband service providers, giving the Commission essential tools to:

  • Protect the Open Internet – Internet service providers will again be prohibited from blocking, throttling, or engaging in paid prioritization of lawful content, restoring the rules that were upheld by the D.C. Circuit in 2016.
  • Safeguard National Security – The Commission will have the ability to revoke the authorizations of foreign-owned entities who pose a threat to national security to operate broadband networks in the U.S. The Commission has previously exercised this authority under section 214 of the Communications Act to revoke the operating authorities of four Chinese state-owned carriers to provide voice services in the U.S.  Any provider without section 214 authorization for voice services must now also cease any fixed or mobile broadband service operations in the United States.
  • Monitor Internet Service Outages – When workers cannot telework, students cannot study, or businesses cannot market their products because their internet service is out, the FCC can now play an active role.

For further information on Net Neutrality, including the history of this proceeding starting in 2004 when the then Chairman of the agency challenged the broadband industry to preserve “Internet Freedoms” followed by more than a decade of work to secure these protections, visit: https://www.fcc.gov/net-neutrality.

Action by the Commission April 25, 2024 by Declaratory Ruling, Order, Report and Order, and Order on Reconsideration (FCC 24-52).  Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Starks and Gomez approving.  Commissioners Carr and Simington dissenting.  Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, Simington, and Gomez issuing separate statements.

Thousands Attend GigaZone Gaming Championship & TechXpo in Bemidji MN

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Fun news from Paul Bunyan Communications...

An estimated crowd of nearly 4,000 attended the GigaZone Gaming Championship & TechXpo on Saturday, April 20 at the Sanford Center. The event featured free gaming, numerous gaming tournaments, over 25 technology exhibitors, door prizes, and special guest Danielle Feinberg from Pixar Animation Studios.
This one-of-a-kind regional gaming event showcases Paul Bunyan Communications’ IT and web development team which custom built and integrated much of the online technology and leverages the speed of the GigaZone one of the largest rural all-fiber optic Gigabit networks in the country.
Team Mingle Master from Bemidji- Ayden Sander, Cameron Oakgrove, and Milo Collings won the seventh annual GigaZone Gaming Championship and the top team prize of $900. Team 50 Nations with Tyler Bos from Austin, David Bos from Brainerd, and Trevor Bos from Brainerd took home 2nd place and the $600 team prize. A total of 32 of northern Minnesota’s best Rocket League teams competed on the main stadium stage in the GigaZone Championship Arena.
In addition to the Rocket League Tournament, there was several other open tournaments including Fortnite, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Madden 25, and Overwatch 2, Valorant, Super Smash Bros. plus high score competitions in Bemidji Drift, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Smugglers Revenge, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, and Donkey Kong. There were also two tournaments for juniors under 13 and Magic the Gathering Booster Drafts.
“Again this year I’m blown away by the talent and energy on display and how people, technology, and fun come together at our event. Everyone, including the participants, exhibitors, and our Paul Bunyan Communications team we’re all-in, showcasing the tech talent and enthusiasm that exists in our region. I’m proud our broadband cooperative can produce and host such an exciting event!”, said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO.
“Our cooperative continues to expand one of the largest rural fiber gigabit networks in the country and that brings many advantages to our members. The GigaZone provides extreme speed and low latency which are critical for the best online gaming experience and the GigaZone Gaming Championship & TechXpo showcases just that,” added Leo Anderson, Paul Bunyan Communications Technology Experience Manager.
“A huge shout out to our entire team for putting on one of the most unique events of this type in the country. Thank you to all of the exhibitors that were a part of the TechXpo and our local partners, we couldn’t do this without them. We’re already looking forward to next year!” added Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.
This Paul Bunyan Communications event includes the talents of many local partners including NLFX, Accidently Cool Games, Northern Amusement, the Sanford Center as well support from several regional and national partners.
For more information on the GigaZone Gaming Championship visit www.gigazonegaming.com
For more information about the GigaZone TechXpo visit www.gigazonetechxpo.com

Second Reading of SF4942 including items related to broadband grant fund transfer and federal application

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The MN Senate General Orders for April 25, 2024 reports…

S.SF. No. 4942: (SENATE AUTHORS: FRENTZ; Companion to H.F. No. 4975) A bill for an act relating to state government; authorizing supplemental agriculture appropriations; providing broadband appropriation transfer authority; making policy and technical changes to agriculture provisions; establishing and modifying agriculture programs; requiring an application for federal broadband aid; modifying appropriations to the Office of Cannabis Management and the Department of Health; modifying fees assessed by the Department of Commerce; adding the Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act; adding and modifying consumer protection provisions; appropriating money for energy, utilities, environment, and climate; requiring utilities to accept an individual taxpayer identification number when new customers apply for utility service; allowing public utilities providing electric service to propose goals for fuel-switching improvement achievements to the commissioner of commerce; modifying the commercial property assessed clean energy program; making technical changes to various provisions governing or administered by the Department of Commerce; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 17.116, subdivision 2; 17.133, subdivision 1; 18C.70, subdivision 5; 18C.71, subdivision 4; 18C.80, subdivision 2; 28A.10; 31.94; 32D.30; 41B.047, subdivision 1; 45.0135, subdivision 7; 62Q.73, subdivision 3; 116J.396, by adding a subdivision; 216B.098, by adding a subdivision; 216B.16, subdivisions 6c, 8; 216B.2402, subdivision 10, by adding a subdivision; 216B.2403, subdivisions 2, 3, 5, 8; 216B.241, subdivisions 2, 11, 12; 216C.10; 216C.435, subdivisions 3a, 3b, 4, 10, by adding subdivisions; 216C.436, subdivisions 1, 4, 7, 8, 10; 325E.21, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, sections 17.055, subdivision 3; 17.133, subdivision 3; 18C.425, subdivision 6; 35.155, subdivision 12; 41B.0391, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, 6; 116C.779, subdivision 1; 144.197; 216C.08; 216C.09; 216C.435, subdivision 8; 216C.436, subdivisions 1b, 2; 325E.21, subdivision 1b; 342.72; Laws 2023, chapter 43, article 1, section 2, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Laws 2023, chapter 63, article 9, sections 5; 10; 15, subdivision 4; 20; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 13; 58B; 62J; 216C; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325O; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 34.07.

DATE D-PG OFFICIAL STATUS
03/13/2024 12195 Introduction and first reading
03/13/2024 Referred to State and Local Government and Veterans
04/11/2024 13655 Withdrawn and re-referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
04/18/2024 14300a Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Finance
04/24/2024 Comm report: To pass as amended
04/24/2024 Second reading

 

Update on House bills related to broadband grant requirements and fund distribution

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The Journal of the House (April 24, 2024) updates two items related to broadband. I have tried to pull out the pertinent information from the Reports of Standing Committees and Divisions.

  • At the very highest level the first item would give DEED and the Office of Broadband Development more authority for spending the money available for broadband grants.
  • The second would give unserved areas priority over underserved areas looking for broadband grants. It reserves a percent of funds for projects that agree to implement the workforce best practices, which includes prevailing wage and 80 hours of training. They also specify similar goals for BEAD funding; however, the Office of Broadband Development can eschew rules if that adhering to them would present the state from getting federal funding. The bill also recommends a standards for a safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer certification program.

ARTICLE 4 BROADBAND

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.396, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4. Transfer. The commissioner may transfer up to $5,000,000 of a fiscal year appropriation between the border-to-border broadband program, low density population broadband program, and the broadband line extension program to meet demand. EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 2. BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT; APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FUNDING; APPROPRIATION.

(a) The commissioner of employment and economic development must prepare and submit an application to the United States Department of Commerce requesting State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Funding made available under Public Law 117-58, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

(b) The amount awarded to Minnesota pursuant to the application submitted under paragraph (a) is appropriated to the commissioner of employment and economic development for purposes of the commissioner’s Minnesota Digital Opportunity Plan.”

Delete the title and insert:

“A bill for an act relating to state government; authorizing supplemental agriculture appropriations; modifying appropriations; providing broadband appropriation transfer authority; making policy and technical changes to agriculture provisions; establishing and modifying agriculture programs; requiring an application for federal broadband aid; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 3.7371, subdivisions 2, 3, by adding subdivisions; 17.133, subdivision 1; 18B.01, by adding a subdivision; 18B.26, subdivision 6; 18B.28, by adding a subdivision; 18B.305, subdivision 2; 18B.32, subdivisions 1, 3, 4, 5; 18B.33, subdivisions 1, 5, 6; 18B.34, subdivisions 1, 4; 18B.35, subdivision 1; 18B.36, subdivisions 1, 2; 18B.37, subdivisions 2, 3; 18C.005, subdivision 33, by adding subdivisions; 18C.115, subdivision 2; 18C.215, subdivision 1; 18C.221; 18C.70, subdivision 5; 18C.71, subdivision 4; 18C.80, subdivision 2; 18D.301, subdivision 1; 28A.10; 28A.21, subdivision 6; 31.74; 31.94; 32D.30; 41B.039, subdivision 2; 41B.04, subdivision 8; 41B.042, subdivision 4; 41B.043, subdivision 1b; 41B.045, subdivision 2; 41B.047, subdivision 1; 116J.396, by adding a subdivision; 223.17, subdivision 6; 232.21, subdivisions 3, 7, 11, 12, 13; Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, sections 17.055, subdivision 3; 17.133, subdivision 3; 17.134, by adding a subdivision; 18C.421, subdivision 1; 18C.425, subdivision 6; 18K.06; 41A.19; Laws 2023, chapter 43, article 1, sections 2; 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 18B; 18C; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 3.7371, subdivision 7; 34.07; Minnesota Rules, parts 1506.0010; 1506.0015; 1506.0020; 1506.0025; 1506.0030; 1506.0035; 1506.0040.”

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The report was adopted

ARTICLE 8

BROADBAND AND PIPELINE SAFETY

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.395, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Awarding grants. (a) In evaluating applications and awarding grants, the commissioner shall give priority to applications that are constructed in areas identified by the director of the Office of Broadband Development as unserved.

(b) In evaluating applications and awarding grants, the commissioner may give priority to applications that:

(1) are constructed in areas identified by the director of the Office of Broadband Development as underserved;

(2) offer new or substantially upgraded broadband service to important community institutions including, but not limited to, libraries, educational institutions, public safety facilities, and healthcare facilities;

(3) facilitate the use of telehealth and electronic health records;

(4) serve economically distressed areas of the state, as measured by indices of unemployment, poverty, or population loss that are significantly greater than the statewide average;

(5) provide technical support and train residents, businesses, and institutions in the community served by the project to utilize broadband service;

(6) include a component to actively promote the adoption of the newly available broadband services in the community;

(7) provide evidence of strong support for the project from citizens, government, businesses, and institutions in the community;

(8) provide access to broadband service to a greater number of unserved or underserved households and businesses; or

(9) leverage greater amounts of funding for the project from other private and public sources.

(c) The commissioner shall endeavor to award grants under this section to qualified applicants in all regions of the state. 104TH DAY] WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024 14265

(d) No less than the following percentages of the total border-to-border broadband grant funds awarded in the year indicated shall be reserved for applicants that agree to implement the workforce best practices as defined in paragraph (e):

(1) 50 percent in 2024;

(2) 60 percent in 2025; and

(3) 70 percent in 2026 and thereafter.

The applicant’s agreement to implement the workforce best practices as defined in paragraph (e) must be an express condition of providing the grant in the grant agreement.

(e) An applicant for a grant under this section is considered to implement workforce best practices only if the applicant can demonstrate that:

(1) there is credible evidence of support for the application and the applicant’s workforce needs on the project for which the grant is provided from one or more labor, labor-management, or other workforce organizations that have a track record of representing and advocating for workers or recruiting, training, and securing employment for people of color, Indigenous people, women, or people with disabilities in the construction industry; and

(2) all laborers and mechanics performing construction, installation, remodeling, or repairs on the project sites for which the grant is provided:

(i) are paid the prevailing wage rate as defined in section 177.42, subdivision 6, and the applicant and all of its construction contractors and subcontractors agree that the payment of prevailing wage to such laborers and mechanics is subject to the requirements and enforcement provisions under sections 177.27, 177.30, 177.32, 177.41 to 177.435, and 177.45, which the commissioner of labor and industry shall have the authority to enforce; or

(ii) receive from their employer:

(A) at least 80 hours of skills training annually, of which at least 40 hours must consist of hands-on instruction;

(B) employer-paid family health insurance coverage; and

(C) employer-paid retirement benefit payments equal to no less than 15 percent of the employee’s total taxable wages.

(f) In the event that the commissioner does not receive enough qualified applications to achieve the standards under paragraph (d), the commissioner shall consult with prospective applicants and labor and workforce organizations under paragraph (e), clause (1), to solicit additional qualified applications.

Sec. 2. [116J.3991] BROADBAND, EQUITY, ACCESS, AND DEPLOYMENT (BEAD).

Subdivision 1. Implementation. The commissioner shall implement a Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program that prioritizes applicants for state funding that demonstrate the following:

(1) commitment by the applicant to robust training programs with established requirements that are tied to uniform wage scales, job titles, and relevant certifications or skill codes

(2) use of a directly employed workforce, as opposed to a subcontracted workforce, to perform broadband placing, splicing, and maintenance work. Public entity applicants may meet this requirement by use of a directly employed workforce or committing to contract with an Internet service provider that will use a directly employed workforce;

(3) commitment to implement workforce best practices under section 116J.395, subdivision 6, paragraph (e), on the project or projects for which the applicant seeks public funding; and

(4) commitment to retaining a locally based workforce and establishing programs to promote training and hiring pipelines for underrepresented communities.

Subd. 2. Project evaluation. In projects funded by the BEAD Program, the criteria under subdivision 1 and section 116J.395, subdivision 6, paragraph (e), shall receive a priority point allocation in the point scheme for project applications, such that these criteria shall, together with points awarded for labor law compliance, constitute no fewer than 25 points of the evaluation scheme, out of 100. No fewer than 20 points must be based on an applicant’s forward-looking commitments regarding implementation of workforce best practices and other commitments listed in this section.

Subd. 3. Disclosures. Applicants’ disclosures responding to the criteria in subdivision 1 and section 116J.395, subdivision 6, paragraph (e), must be publicly available on the department website, and all workforce commitments made under this section and section 116J.395 shall become enforceable, certified commitments and conditions of the grant.

Subd. 4. Workforce plan data. (a) Grantees in projects funded by the program under this section and section 116J.395 are required to provide in biannual reports information on their workforce, including:

(1) whether the workforce will be directly employed by the grantee or the Internet service provider or whether work will be performed by a subcontracted workforce;

(2) the entities that the contractor plans to subcontract with in carrying out the proposed work, if any, and the entity employing the workforce in each job title;

(3) the job titles and size of the workforce, including the number of full-time equivalent positions that are required to carry out the proposed work over the course of the project;

(4) for each job title required to carry out the proposed work, a description of wages, benefits, applicable wage scales including overtime rates, and a description of how wages are calculated; and

(5) any other workforce plan information as determined by the commissioner.

(b) Following an award, the workforce plan and the requirement to submit ongoing workforce reports shall be incorporated as material conditions of the contract with the department and become enforceable, certified commitments. The commissioner must conduct regular reviews to assure compliance and take appropriate measures for enforcement.

Subd. 5. Failure to meet requirements or falsification of data. If successful applicants fail to meet the program requirements under this section, or otherwise falsify information regarding such requirements, the commissioner shall investigate the failure and issue an appropriate action, up to and including a determination that the applicant is ineligible for future participation in broadband grant programs funded by the department.

Subd. 6. Federal grant requirements. The commissioner shall have authority not to enforce or apply any requirement of this section to the extent that the requirement would prevent the state from receiving federal broadband grant funding.

Sec. 3. [181.912] UNDERGROUND TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section:

(1) “directional drilling” means a drilling method that utilizes a steerable drill bit to cut a bore hole for installing underground utilities;

(2) “safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer” means a person who has completed underground utilities installation certification under subdivision 3;

(3) “underground telecommunications utilities” means buried broadband, telephone and other telecommunications transmission, distribution and service lines, and associated facilities; and

(4) “underground utilities” means buried electric transmission and distribution lines, gas and hazardous liquids pipelines and distribution lines, sewer and water pipelines, telephone or telecommunications lines, and associated facilities.

Subd. 2. Installation requirements. The installation of underground telecommunications infrastructure that is located within ten feet of existing underground utilities or that crosses said utilities must be performed by safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers as follows:

(1) the location of existing utilities by hand or hydro excavation or other accepted methods must be performed by a safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer;

(2) where telecommunications infrastructure is installed by means of directional drilling, the monitoring of the location and depth of the drill head must be performed by a safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer; and

(3) no less than two safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers must be present at all times at any location where telecommunications infrastructure is being installed by means of directional drilling.

Subd. 3. Certification Standards. (a) The commissioner of labor and industry shall approve standards for a safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer certification program that requires a person to:

(1) complete a 40-hour initial course that includes classroom and hands-on instruction covering proper work procedures for safe installation of underground utilities, including:

(i) regulations applicable to excavation near existing utilities;

(ii) identification, location, and verification of utility lines using hand or hydro excavation or other accepted methods;

(iii) response to line strike incidents;

(iv) traffic control procedures;

(v) use of a tracking device to safely guide directional drill equipment along a drill path; and

(vi) avoidance and mitigation of safety hazards posed by underground utility installation projects;

(2) demonstrate knowledge of the course material by successfully completing an examination approved by the commissioner; and

(3) complete a four-hour refresher course within three years of completing the original course and every three years thereafter in order to maintain certification.

(b) The commissioner must develop an approval process for training providers under this subdivision, and may suspend or revoke the approval of any training provider that fails to demonstrate consistent delivery of approved curriculum or success in preparing participants to complete the examination.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.17, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 9. Telecommunications and cable communications systems. (a) The commission has authority under this section to investigate, upon complaint or on its own motion, conduct by or on behalf of a telecommunications carrier, telephone company, or cable communications system provider that impacts public utility or cooperative electric association infrastructure. If the commission finds that the conduct damaged or unreasonably interfered with the function of the infrastructure, the commission may take any action authorized under sections 216B.52 to 216B.61 with respect to the provider.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision:

(1) “telecommunications carrier” has the meaning given in section 237.01, subdivision 6;

(2) “telephone company” has the meaning given in section 237.01, subdivision 7; and

(3) “cable communications system provider” means an owner or operator of a cable communications system as defined in section 238.02, subdivision 3.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 299J.01, is amended to read: [The rest of the bill is focused on pipelines]

Office of Broadband Development gets nice nod from Christopher Ali

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The Conversation is a nonprofit that strives to Inform public debate with knowledge-based journalism that is responsible, ethical and supported by evidence. They recently posted an article on why…

Millions of Americans still don’t have access to high-speed internet. Christopher Ali, a professor of telecommunications at Penn State University, discusses who lacks access to broadband and how the federal government – with a US$65 billion commitment – is trying to bring more people online.

Minnesota got a nice shout-out…

What states have done a particularly good job expanding broadband access?

Christopher Ali: Minnesota has done some amazing work over the past decade. As I discuss in my book “Farm Fresh Broadband: The Politics of Rural Connectivity,” Minnesota was one of the earliest states to create a broadband grant program – the Border-to-Border program – and has set really ambitious targets. Back in 2016, for instance, the state set up a goal of universal coverage at 100Mbps/20Mbps by 2026.

Nobles County to contribute $35,000 toward Lismore broadband project

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The Worthington Globe reports on the Lismore Coop’s MN broadband grant application and Nobles County’s support. It’s an interesting glimpse at all of the moving pieces involved in the application…

The Nobles County Board of Commissioners agreed to financially support Lismore Cooperative Telephone Company’s “Fiber to Home” broadband project and include the community of Bigelow in the project. The project aims to expand broadband access throughout the county.

Project director Chris Koneche of Finley Engineering said the project has seen its share of progress in recent months.

“We really appreciate working with you guys all these years,” he told the board. “We’ve made tremendous strides. The most recent win has been with the USDA Connect Round Four program. I think that’s about a $28 million project that would cover the vast majority of the rural areas in the county with fiber.”

However, Konechne said they were initially unable to include Bigelow in the project due to application restrictions.

“Because of the eligibility restrictions and the sporting criteria in that Round Four application, we didn’t think it would be a wise decision to put the city of Bigelow in that application. That application scores things on rurality … we would have lost or been graded lower in that category with USDA. Additionally, we would’ve had some challenge work with the speeds that Frontier was claiming at the time. For those two reasons and due to the size of it… when you look at this potential project with a budget of somewhere around $675,000, we didn’t think it was really worth the risk to a $28 million project to put that in there.”

Based on a scoring system, Lismore Cooperative Telephone Company Secretary Mark Loosbrock said that in order to obtain a higher level of eligibility for the 30% grant, financial support in addition to a letter of support was recommended.

Second round of Line Extension awards announced

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

The Office of Broadband Development announced the second round of Line Extension Connection Program awards on a rolling basis beginning March 29, 2024, and ending April 22, 2024. This second round of the program awarded $3,584,040.13 to expand wired broadband delivering at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload, to 482 locations across 25 counties. Internet providers carrying out the projects matched $1,490,990.67 for a total investment of $5,075,030.80.

Provider Locations Grant Amount
Access Networks 15 $153,225.00
Arvig Tekstar 69 $543,244.99
Consolidated Tel Co (CTC) 147 $808,700.00
Farmers Mutual Tel Co. 1 $3,800.00
Federated REA 2 $8,169.72
Federated Telephone Coop 5 $58,200.00
Garden Valley Tel 17 $198,972.51
JTN 15 $68,398.23
Mediacom 25 $625,000.00
Meeker Vibrant 33 $202,423.82
Midco Midcontinent Comm. 136 $601,417.00
MLEC Mille Lacs Electric Coop 1 $17,946.00
Savage Communications (SCI) 10 $182,766.86
SE MN WIFI 2 $38,000.00
Sytek 4 $73,776.00
15 482 $3,584,040.13

Round 2 Line Extension Awards by County

County Locations
Aitkin 4
Anoka 17
Becker 55
Big Stone 1
Carver 9
Cass 2
Chippewa 1
Crow Wing 93
Dakota 17
Hennepin 27
Itasca 5
Kandiyohi 23
Mahnomen 17
Martin 2
Meeker 10
Morrison 7
Otter Tail 14
Pine 4
Scott 15
St. Louis 31
Stearns 16
Stevens 1
Swift 3
Todd 41
Washington 67
25 482

 

Updates From the Office of Broadband Development: Meeting and Line Extension Awards

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

Office of Broadband Development’s April weekly webinar series, wrapping up

Register for the final session of the Broadband Development Tuesday Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems).

This final session will be Tuesday April 30th, 10-11:30am. In this training, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will cover information on the utility license application and process.

Content from the series will be recorded and posted to the Office of Broadband Development’s webpage.

Governor’s Task Force on Broadband, April meeting recap

The Governor’s Broadband ask Force was hosted by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa at the Black Bear Casino Resort on Thursday April 11th. Band leaders spoke on and shared experiences with Broadband funding and access, updates were shared on BEAD and Digital Opportunity, and the Task Force continued discussion on the current legislative session. Materials from the meeting are available on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

A special thank you to those who hosted and shared at the meeting: Kevin Dupuis, Chairman, Fond du Lac Band; Jason Hollinday, Planning Director, Fond du Lac Band; Caleb Dunlap, Communications Director, Fond du Lac Band; and Marcia Dupuis, Business Manager, Fond du Lac Band; and Task Force Member Brian Hood, Operations Manager, Fond du Lac Communications.

Border-to-Border and Low-Density applications due May 10th

With $30 million available for Border-to-Border (B2B) grants and the remaining $20 million for the Lower Population Density (Low-Density) grants, DEED opened the application window for the tenth grant round on March 12, 2024. Applications are due by 1:30 p.m. Central Time on May 10, 2024.

More information, including an updated Round 10 FAQ, can be found on OBD’s Broadband Grant Program webpage.

Line Extension Round Two Awards

OBD announced the second round of Line Extension Connection Program awards on a rolling basis beginning March 29, 2024, and ending April 22, 2024. The program awarded $3,584,040.13 to expand wired broadband service delivering at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload, to 482 locations across 25 counties. Internet providers carrying out the projects matched $1,490,990.67 for a total investment of $5,075,030.80. Find more on the round two awards and the Line Extension program on the Line Extension webpage.