Monthly Archives: May 2025

CTC is deploying fiber to Breitung Town (St. Louis County)

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The Timberjay reports...

At their meeting on May 20, the Breitung Town Board approved the permits allowing CTC to begin laying fiber optic cable to bring high-speed broadband internet to parts of the township. Residents on Mallard Dr., Puncher Pt., and along Hoodoo Pt. Rd. up to the McKinley Park Campground will get the service.
CTC has been working with the Bois Forte Reservation and local townships to get permits and install broadband in as many places as possible with available funding. Initially, broadband was supposed to be installed to Echo Pt. and McKinley Park Acres but the prevalence of bedrock made that cost-prohibitive. If residents in these areas are interested in high-speed internet, it’s important to visit goctc.com to request service. Board chairman Matt Tuchel said his goal is to eventually get service to all parts of the township including Indian Point.
Service will begin later this year or in early 2026 depending on location. Service charges start at $65 per month for 250 mbps with additional faster tiers at $85 for 500 mbps and $100 per month for 1 gbps.
McKinley Park Campground already has broadband service.

New partnership, Tri-Co, focused on deploying broadband to Cass and Crown Wing Counties

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The Brainerd Dispatch reports on good news for Cass and Crown Wing Counties..

Tri-Co Technologies Partnership, with current owners Emily Cooperative Telephone Company of Emily and the West Central Telephone Association of Sebeka, is expanding its membership to include Paul Bunyan Communications of Bemidji and Consolidated Telephone Company of Brainerd to form a powerful new alliance.

Operating under the name Tremolo Communications, Tri-Co is a strategic collaboration committed to delivering high-speed broadband to underserved communities across Cass and Crow Wing counties. This cooperative effort unites the strengths and resources of four established rural broadband cooperatives, along with local leadership and vision. …

For more information and to see if your address is included in the expansion, visit tremolo.net/fiber .

IRRR announces $383,000 broadband grant for Paul Bunyan Communications (St Louis County)

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Iron Range Resources reports on a new broadband grant for future deployment in St Louis County…

Broadband Infrastructure Grant: $383,000

  • Paul Bunyan Rural Telephone Cooperative Grant Amount: $383,000 to construct fiber optics to serve 35 unserved households in unorganized township T62N-R21W in rural Saint Louis County. This is an expansion of the Paul Bunyan network north of Morcom Township.  

EVENT May 30: Tech in Your World: FREE event about low-cost internet!

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For folks close to the Twin Cities, here’s an event hosted by Literacy Minnesota…

This year’s event will be held at our Minneapolis based learning center. Attendees can learn about the digital literacy services Literacy Minnesota has to offer and check out a few vendors.

When: May 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: 627 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411

 

Organizations

Broadband industry associations ask Trump Administration to let states continue with BEAD

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Five industry associations (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association, Telecommunications Industry Association, USTelecom and WTA) send a letter to the Trump Administration asking them to keep BEAD going quickly…

We are writing to thank you for your commitment to the BEAD program for rural broadband deployment. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that established the BEAD program was passed three-and-a-half years ago—and yet not a single household has been connected to high-speed internet through the program. To fulfill its long overdue mission of connecting all Americans, we urge you to both eliminate the unnecessary and burdensome
program requirements imposed by the Biden Administration and enable the States to move forward quickly with implementation.
Our members are the companies that have been the boots on the ground building, maintaining, and supplying the equipment for the broadband network infrastructure in rural America, and we cannot overstate the importance of getting the BEAD program on track. These rural communities have waited long enough for next-generation broadband that will unlock massive economic opportunities, and they cannot afford more program delays. The BEAD program was designed for the States to carry out, and the States should remain in the driver’s
seat, empowered to use their expertise in determining the best broadband technology solutions for their residents.
We recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to solving rural broadband challenges and that every technology will have an important role to play in BEAD. At the same time, BEAD is a golden opportunity to drive as much fiber infrastructure as feasible into our country, which will help advance your Administration’s important connectivity, AI, and advanced manufacturing goals.
We are confident that under your direction, BEAD can unleash economic opportunity for America’s rural communities, and we appreciate your leadership in moving the program forward.
We look forward to working with you on this important matter.

Loss of ACP means reduced spending on food and clothing and/or lose access to family and loved one

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C|Net posts an article on the impact of the loss of Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) money…

Former ACP enrollees have had to make a number of compromises to keep their internet on since it ended a year ago. A January survey from the National Lifeline Association found that nearly 40% of people enrolled in the program said they had to reduce spending on food to afford their new internet bill. 41% cut back on necessities like clothing, heat and doctor’s visits. Another 18% said their kids had difficulty completing homework assignments.

But the number that stuck out to me the most was the 64% who said they’re unable to maintain regular contact with family and loved ones. That was something I heard echoed by nearly every ACP user I spoke with for this piece: Life without an internet connection can be incredibly isolating.

Remind us of the history…

The ACP provided $30 a month to help low-income households pay for an internet connection, or $75 for people living on Tribal lands. The program accepted households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or $60,000 for a family of four. Prices to get online have only gone up since it ended, with 63% of customers reporting higher internet bills than the year before in a recent CNET survey.

Despite broad bipartisan support from voters — and from former senator, now Vice President J.D. Vance, who co-sponsored a bill in 2024 to extend the ACP — the program officially ran out of money one year ago. Starting in June 2024, ACP users were faced with a stark choice: find an extra $30 in their monthly budget or cut the cord on their internet connection entirely.

“It was just a sad moment,” Burrell said. “I was praying that they’d let us keep it. But it was over.”

And the impact of the loss…

Those projections are no longer theoretical. A recent Ookla report found that the broadband divide grew in 32 states in the second half of 2024, which lines up almost exactly with the ACP’s end. (Disclaimer: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, the same company that owns CNET.)

Renville County residents are invited to take a broadband survey

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West Central Tribune reports…

Renville County residents are invited to take a short broadband internet survey through March 31 to gauge satisfaction with current internet service providers.

According to the release, those without a home or business broadband connection are also encouraged to take the survey in order to help the county consider different broadband solutions.

Residents can take the survey by visiting www.renvillecountymn.com and clicking on the survey link in the homepage pop-up or going directly to surveymonkey.com/r/2687525.

AT&T to Acquire Lumen’s Mass Markets Fiber Business

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AT&T reports…

AT&T agrees to acquire substantially all of Lumen’s Mass Markets fiber internet connectivity business in a deal that’s expected to close in the first half of 2026

Transaction to stimulate investment, expand world-class connectivity in the U.S., create new jobs and make high-speed fiber internet access available to millions of Americans

AT&T will extend its industry-leading fiber network with plans to reach approximately 60 million total fiber locations by year-end 2030.

Key Takeaways:

  • AT&T will acquire substantially all of Lumen’s Mass Markets fiber business, which today totals about 1 million fiber customers and reaches more than 4 million fiber locations across 11 U.S. states.
  • AT&T reiterates full-year 2025 financial and operational guidance and share repurchase plans.

How might this impact customers in Minnesota (or at least the Twin Cities)?

The transaction will enable AT&T to significantly expand access to AT&T Fiber in major metro areas like Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City and Seattle, as well as additional geographies. AT&T expects this transaction to deliver significant value to consumers, shareholders and the Company.

Highlights include:

  • Expanding the availability of AT&T Fiber. AT&T expects to significantly grow the number of AT&T Fiber customers within the acquired fiber footprint, using its extensive distribution, the strengths of AT&T Fiber, and the value of the AT&T Guarantee. Over time, AT&T expects to increase fiber customer penetration within the acquired footprint to levels more consistent with its current penetration of AT&T Fiber.
  • Accelerating an efficient build engine for constructing fiber home internet connectivity outside of AT&T’s traditional wireline operating region. Through this transaction, AT&T will gain access to Lumen’s substantial fiber construction capabilities within its incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) footprint and plans to accelerate the pace at which fiber is being built in these territories. AT&T now expects to reach approximately 60 million total fiber locations by the end of 2030 – roughly doubling where AT&T Fiber is available today.
  • Giving American consumers more choice when selecting broadband and wireless services the way they prefer – with fiber and 5G together. Customers with both AT&T Fiber and the Company’s wireless services are more likely to recommend AT&T, remain customers longer and provide the best returns. AT&T expects that its ability to offer 5G wireless and fiber broadband connectivity within Lumen’s Mass Markets fiber footprint will enable the Company to grow its base of high-value converged customer relationships and drive gains in its Mobility business.

 

Broadband provider, Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association, becomes Meeker Energy

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The West Central Tribune reports…

Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association this week became Meeker Energy.

The annual meeting of the cooperative Wednesday marked the launch of the new identity after nearly nine decades of service to central Minnesota, according to the announcement from the co-op. The rebrand comes after more than 25 years with the same logo and name. …

The cooperative provides electricity, broadband and other services to its 8,000 members across six central Minnesota counties.

Meeker Energy members can expect to see updates roll out over the coming weeks, including new signage, fleet graphics and employee uniforms, according to the announcement. Other items bearing the prior name, such as envelopes and checks, will be used until depleted to minimize waste and cost.

“Whether we’re installing fiber in rural neighborhoods or responding to storm outages, our focus is the same: providing exceptional service and keeping our members connected,” said Johnson. “This new name helps us tell that story more clearly.”

Should the smartphone-broadband bundle should be on every rural operator’s radar?

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CoBank posts an article on “Why the smartphone-broadband bundle should be on every rural operator’s radar.” Here are their key points:

  • Bundles are winning: Customers increasingly prefer bundled smartphone and home broadband services for simplicity and savings – national carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, Comcast, and Charter are capitalizing on this trend and gaining market share.
  • Rural competition is heating up: Massive federal funding, expanded wireless coverage, and improving satellite options (like Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper) are intensifying competition in rural markets.
  • Technology is enabling growth: Advances like the 6GHz band and next-gen FWA systems (e.g., Tarana) are making wireless broadband more viable and scalable – even in hard-to-serve areas.
  • Smaller operators are taking notice: Regional players like WOW!, Midco, and Mediacom, along with NCTC members, are beginning to offer mobile services to compete with bundled offerings.
  • The risk of doing nothing is rising: While offering mobile isn’t easy or cheap, not responding to the bundled threat could mean higher churn, lost customers, and long-term erosion of market share.

MN Legislature looks at possible Special Session

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The Minnesota House reports…

On Monday, some completed conference committee reports were passed by the House and sent to the Senate, but several more lay dormant, the committee co-chairs from the two chambers unable to reach agreement.

So it’s on to a special session, but how soon Gov. Tim Walz will call one remains to be seen. The timing is likely to hinge upon how far apart the various unconcluded conference committees are in crafting their final reports.

“We’ll continue to do the work, and when the work’s ready, I’ll bring them back for a one-day special session and we’ll button things up,” Walz said Monday afternoon before meeting with legislative leaders.

Next steps?

Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) said legislative leaders and the governor have given all conference committees a deadline of 5 p.m. Wednesday to finish their work. She predicted the earliest a special session could start would be Friday, and urged conference committee chairs to focus on getting the budgeting portion of their bills fleshed out and to let go of any policy differences standing in the way of reaching agreement.

What’s left?

Still left unfinished are agreements that would set budgets for the next two biennia in the areas of commerce, education, energy, environment and natural resources, health, higher education, human services, labor and workforce development, and transportation.

And then there’s the tax bill, which would determine the how and how much of collecting revenue to fund all state programs. Neither the House nor the Senate had an omnibus tax bill voted upon by the time the two chambers adjourned Monday, although the House bill did make it to the floor last week before being tabled.

In an early stage of its legislative life is a bill for capital investment — known as a bonding bill — which would ascertain what infrastructure projects would be funded by state borrowing in the 2026-27 biennium.

Minneapolis Public Housing Authority and Comcast making Xfinity easier to access in several of the Minneapolis Public Housing buildings

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Access Newswire reports...

The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) and Comcast announced they have partnered to provide a WiFi connection to Xfinity’s next generation network in several of the Minneapolis Public Housing buildings in the city. This is Comcast’s second collaboration with a Minnesota-based housing agency to provide pre-installed, already on connectivity to the Xfinity network for their residents.

Residential units will be equipped to connect to Xfinity’s superior WiFi network. With Xfinity’s network readily available, residents will not need to schedule a technician to set up services, wait for their modem to arrive or go to the Xfinity store to collect their equipment. To activate service, residents will only need to call or use the Xfinity App. Current and new residents moving into WiFi ready units can connect to the Internet within five minutes of collecting their keys, making it much easier to get all their devices up and running.

EVENTS June 3 & 4: SmartNorth’s The Future Is Feminine adult career pathway program

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News from SmartNorth’s The Future Is Feminine adult career pathway program.

SmartNorth is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding digital literacy and workforce development across northern Minnesota.

We’re hosting in-person registration events—please forgive the short notice—at our Tech Hubs:

  • Tuesday, June 3 | 11 AM–2 PM
    Deer River Tech Hub, 1049 Comstock Dr, Deer River, MN
  • Wednesday, June 4 | 11 AM–2 PM
    Grand Rapids Tech Hub, 601 SW 7th St, Grand Rapids, MN

This no-cost opportunity offers women 18+ industry-recognized tech certifications, paid training, one-on-one mentorship, and support services (transportation, childcare, laptops, and more).

We would greatly appreciate your help spreading the word and encouraging potential participants to join this valuable program. Please feel free to forward this email or share the attached flyer.

Sen Klobuchar and others ask Trump Administration not to delay BEAD funding

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A dozen senators, including Senator Klobuchar, sent President Trump a letter asking that his Administration not delay BEAD funding…

We write with concern regarding the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) recent announcement that it is delaying the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This unprecedented move by the NTIA will further delay our communities from having the connectivity they need to grow and thrive. To unlock the full strength of the U.S. economy, every community must have access to the vast opportunities enabled by broadband, and this can be achieved by your Administration following the law as outlined in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58).

The intent of Congress when it created and appropriated over $42 billion for the bipartisan BEAD program was to connect the hardest-to-serve Americans to high-speed internet and finally close the digital divide. Congress explicitly shaped this program to give deference to states, so they could address the unique challenges their states face reaching the goals of the program Congress mandated.

Currently, there are multiple states ready for broadband providers to put shovels in the ground tomorrow. Forty-two states have begun or completed their BEAD application process. Three states have even had their applications fully approved and yet are waiting on funds to be released by your Administration. Many states have applications that are tech-neutral and dramatically more cost-effective than previous projects funded by federal broadband programs, all while fulfilling the program’s mission to bring high-speed, reliable broadband to all unserved communities in their state. The attempts by NTIA to revise the state application process at this late stage will cause further delays to the program and leave rural and tribal communities behind in an increasingly connected economy. NTIA must act swiftly to release BEAD funding to states that have already been approved and expeditiously work to approve the remaining eligible applications. Time is of the essence, and our rural and tribal communities cannot afford more delays.

It is imperative to follow the law, deliver on the promise of access to affordable high-speed internet, and ensure that every American, regardless of where they live, has the tools to succeed in the modern economy.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Office of Broadband Development Office Hours: Digital Opportunity Termination Update – BEAD keeps on

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The Office of Broadband Development held their Office Hours as planned. When planned, this meeting was going to talk about the next round of BEAD funding (round 11b) but that is on hold given concerns with federal perspective. Instead, the meeting focused on trying to answer questions and sharing the limited news available.

Notes from the meeting:

Digital Opportunity Termination Update

  • Last Day was May 19, 2025
  • Was $12 million for digital inclusion training
  • MN did create a digital opportunity plan – although it will no longer be funded by the Feds
  • DEED will also terminate the planned network of local experts
  • An FAQ is coming

BEAD Updates

  • Still going through applications
  • It may be several weeks before Round 11B will be announced
  • OBD has been informed of upcoming changes. Feds are looking to streamline and make it more technical – but not certain what that will mean.

Questions

I am hearing wide swings in when folks will get more info – from early June to July – do you have any idea?
We are hearing inconsistencies too.
We have a later final approval date for end of program. We’re still focused on October 3. Other states have earlier final dates. But other states have longer construction seasons.

Can you share more on what you’re seeing with overlapping applications? And what the process will be?
We have multiple applications overlapping in different ways. We want to be good partners – unfortunately, we aren’t sure on what the changes will be so it’s hard to give advice. There has been more overlap than OBD has typically seen in part rounds.

Do you know the timeline?
No but we assume it will take a time. And we may even come back to applicants to ask if they want to make changes or save the proposal for round two (11b)). If you have ideas or concerns, please send them.
In fairness to all of you, there’s a balance we’re trying to meet. We know that you have been working hard as well. We don’t want to dissuade anyone to participate – but we don’t know the changes. And we don’t have a lot of flexibility; we are tied to Volume 2.

It makes sense to not ask providers to make changes without knowing what the Feds are going to make in changes. There were providers who already decided this program was not right for them.

When is the next Office Hour?
The previously scheduled hours have been cancelled. We will schedule more when we know more.