Category Archives: FTTH

Woodstock Communications Deploys FTTP in Hatfield (Pipestone County) with MN State Grant

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The Pipestone Star reports…

Woodstock Communications has begun construction of a fiber optic internet network in the Hatfield area.

Work started east of Pipestone along State Highway 30 earlier this month. Woodstock Communications General Manager Terry Nelson said the project includes installing about 45 miles of fiber that will pass 116 homes in the project area. He said the fiber will be installed this fall and internet service is expected to be ready by the end of the year.

There will be no charge to residents in the project area to connect their residences. Projected pricing for broadband service is $44.95 for 100 megabits per second (Mbps) uploading and downloading speed, $54.95 for 250 Mbps, $74.95 for 500 Mbps and $104.95 for 1 gigabit per second. Nelson said that pricing is consistent with what Woodstock Communications charges in the rest of its service areas.

The project is estimated to cost $2,150,576. Woodstock Communications received a $1,612,932 grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) last year to help pay for it. The Pipestone County Commissioners voted in 2023 to provide $268,822 for the project, which would cover half of the local match for the grant. Woodstock Communications will pay the other half.

The project in the Hatfield area is phase one of a four-phase project to provide fiber internet access to all the rural parts of Pipestone County for an estimated $15,733,299. Woodstock Communications plans to seek other grants in the future to help fund the projects.

Recent conference panel: How are new data center deployments driving additional fiber deployment?

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Fierce Network reports…

Leaders from the data center and fiber industries came together in Austin, Texas this week as the Datacloud USA and Metro Connect conferences joined forces. And for good measure the conference organizers included the power generation companies, dubbing their 2025 show Datacloud Energy USA/Metro Connect Fall.

Fiber industry executives said they are getting plenty of requests from data center developers. But those developers are often pushing projects out of major metro areas in order to chase available power. So, they’re asking for fiber in places that don’t otherwise make economic sense for providers.

Sound familiar? Bringing fiber to remote areas is, of course, the goal of the government’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which continues to evolve and so far has not resulted in many new connections.

Could the data center industry step in to connect parts of rural America? That depends in part on whether fiber providers are willing to take the terms offered by data center builders, primarily hyperscalers.

But there is some push back from the providers…

“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should,” said David Kamphuis, VP carrier sales at fiber provider Segra, part of Cox Communications. “We have to do what is right, fiscally.”

Kamphuis was part of a panel at the Datacloud show entitled “How are new data center deployments driving additional fiber deployment?” moderated by Digital Bridge managing director Horace Zona. Some of the panel’s commentary sounded similar to the talking points fiber providers use when asked why government subsidies are needed to connect certain areas of the country.

“If it made sense on Day One to build it, it would have already been built. It hasn’t gotten built for a reason,” explained Dan Davis, CEO and co-founder of Arcadian Infracom.

So, what does it take to get fiber providers to commit to a data center build?  “You have to have a belief set not just in the one place, but all along these routes,” Davis said. He added that the cost of a fiber build is typically around $300 million, a fraction of the $2 billion to $3 billion a hyperscaler may be spending on the data center at the end of the route.

Gateway Fiber building FTTH to Elk River and Otsego (Wright and Sherburne Counties)

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Business Wire reports…

Gateway Fiber announced today that it is bringing its ultra-fast, 100% fiber-optic internet service to Elk River and Otsego, MN, joining other Twin Cities communities, including Blaine, Coon Rapids, Maple Grove, Plymouth, and others, as the company expands its footprint in the area. Construction on the new network is set to begin in September, with the first customers scheduled to come online later this fall. Most residents will see service available in 2026.

By building a brand-new 100% fiber network directly to homes and businesses, Gateway Fiber is delivering the speed, reliability, and customer service that modern communities need to thrive. Unlike other technologies that rely on outdated cable or copper lines, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technology provides the bandwidth capacity necessary to handle today’s connected households and tomorrow’s demands.

Broadband Expansion Continues in Itasca and St. Louis Counties

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Paul Bunyan Communicaitons sent me an update and press release, for folks outside of Minnesota, I want to share the email intro to the press release sent during the first week or September!

The weather has turned quickly, a sure sign that the end of construction season is on the horizon.   We continue to make great progress on our broadband network expansion construction and, if mother nature cooperates, we anticipate each project will be built before freeze-out.

And today does feel like winter is coming, even in the Twin Cities, three hours from Paul Bunyan…

As the end of construction season approaches, Paul Bunyan Communications is on track to complete its planned broadband expansion projects across parts of Itasca and St. Louis Counties before freeze out.
Status of Paul Bunyan Communications Broadband Expansion projects:
• Itasca County:
City of Coleraine- Construction is completed with fiber splicing taking place. Services should become available in October
City of Bovey- Construction has started and is over 50% completed. Services should become available this winter.
Bearville(s) Township- Construction is done. Fiber splicing is in progress. Services should become available this winter.
• St. Louis County:
Sandy, Pike, & Wuori Township- Construction is done, fiber splicing is 75% done. Services should be available by the end of September
Alango & Owens Township- Construction is done and fiber splicing has started. Services should become available this winter.
Angora Township- Construction is done and fiber splicing has started. Services should become available this winter.
Balkan Township- Construction has started and is expected to be completed by mid-October. Services should become available this winter.
French Township- Construction is done. Fiber splicing has started. Services should become available this winter.
Great Scott Township & unorganized township north of Great Scott- Construction will start later this month and is expected to be completed by mid-November. Services should be available by end of winter.
Once the network is operational in an area, customers who signed up will be contacted to schedule service installations.
Sign Up Now to Ensure Fiber Optic Connection Residents and businesses in these expansion areas are encouraged to sign up for service now, before construction crews move on to ensure the fiber optic connection is brought up to the location. That can be done online at http://www.gigazone.com, by phone, or in person at our Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center.
Services Available Upon Completion Once the network is live, customers will have access to Paul Bunyan’s GigaZone® services, including high-speed fiber-optic Internet with speeds up to 10 Gig and dependable, low-cost unlimited local and long-distance GigaZone® voice services.

EVENT Sep 3: ILSR and AAPB Community Broadband Film Series II – Rocketeers: The UTOPIA Fiber Story

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From ILSR and AAPB…

Slated for Tomorrow, September 3rd from 4 to 5:00 pm ET, the livestream event will feature the film “Rocketeers: The UTOPIA Fiber Story” – an eye-opening documentary about how a publicly-owned fiber network has ignited local Internet choice and competition across dozens of cities, delivering connectivity at the speed of light.

Registration is free here.

Lismore Telephone and Nobles County kick of FTTP project funded by ReConnect and MN State Grants

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The Worthington Globe…

Many local companies are working together to bring enhanced broadband services to underserved, rural Nobles County residents, using approximately 637 miles of fiber to provide high-speed internet to 1,550 households and sites.

Bill Loonan, general manager of Lismore Cooperative Telephone Company, met with Nobles County commissioners and other project stakeholders Wednesday morning in Bigelow to kick off the Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) project.

They are working on a project in the area…

[Nobles County Board Chairman Gene] Metz said Nobles County invested $4 million into this project — money set aside from wind production tax revenues the county received.

“Our counties decided to spend their production tax to bring that service to everybody in the rural area,” Metz said.

Total project costs amount to $27.4 million. Funding for the project consists of 50% loan and 50% grant, with $13.7 million requested through grants and $5.7 million requested through loans. An additional $8 million is a cash substitution amount for the loan portion.

Lismore Cooperative applied for and received a grant of $19.4 million from the Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Another grant was received through the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant program. In all, $208,598 was awarded specifically for the FTTP project in Bigelow.

More details…

The total FTTP project cost for Bigelow alone adds up to $695,328. The project area encompasses about 4.16 miles of buried fiber that will serve 113 locations, of which 19 are unserved and 94 are underserved.

Nobles County has awarded $35,000 toward the Bigelow project and the City of Bigelow has funded $15,000. The FTTP network is aimed at bridging the digital divide in the rural city of Bigelow.

Mediacom Communications launches multi-gig service in Howard Lake and Winsted, Minnesota (McLeod County)

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Morning Star reports…

Mediacom Communications today announced the company has launched multi-gig and symmetrical speed broadband services to over 2,400 households located in the rural Minnesota communities of Howard Lake and Winsted.

Utilizing breakthrough technology to enhance its 1.3 million-mile fiber network, Mediacom has created a more responsive end-to-end customer experience that prioritizes faster upload and download speeds, uncompromised network reliability, safe and secure connections, and lower latency.

Utilizing the new platform, Howard Lake and Winsted residents will be able to choose from the following Xtream Internet offerings from Mediacom:

  • Internet 300 tier with speeds of 300 Mbps down and 100 Mbps up.
  • Internet 1 Gig Symmetrical tier with speeds of 1000 Mbps down by 1000 Mbps up.
  • Internet 2 Gig Unlimited tier with speeds of 2000 Mbps down by 1000 Mbps up.

The FCC is looking for comments about Cottage Grove’s rights of way contract with one provider

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I’m offering two chapters of an ongoing story of Cottage Grove working for better broadband. The FCC is looking for comments on Cottage Grove, Minnesota’s contact that allows exclusive access to rights of way for broadband deployment for a period of time…

Comments Due: September 12, 2025

Reply Comments Due: October 14, 2025

The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition for preemption and declaratory ruling filed pursuant to section 253(d) of the Communications Act (Act).1 The petition was filed on August 6, 2025 by BIF IV Intrepid OpCo LLC (Intrepid)2 and asks the Commission to preempt a contract that the city of Cottage Grove, Minnesota (the City) has entered with another provider to deploy fiber optic infrastructure in the City.3 The petition states that the City entered the contract after issuing a Request for Proposal4 stating that “the City will not issue future right of way permits for broadband projects for at least five years” after reaching an agreement, thereby providing “the chosen broadband partner(s) exclusive rights to access the assigned rights of way for broadband services to serve the City of Cottage Grove until at least 2030.”5 Intrepid states that, due to the award of an exclusive contract to another provider, permit applications that it submitted to expand its fiber optic telecommunications network to the City are now being denied.6

Interested parties may file comments or oppositions to the Intrepid Petition on or before September 12, 2025 and reply comments on or before October 14, 2025. All filings addressing the Intrepid Petition must reference WC Docket No. 25-248.

  • Electronic Filers: Comments and oppositions may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS): www.fcc.gov/ecfs.
  • Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing.

o Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial courier, or by the U.S. Postal Service. All filings must be addressed to the Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.

o Hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by the FCC’s mailing contractor at 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building.

o Commercial courier deliveries (any deliveries not by the U.S. Postal Service) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.

o Filings sent by U.S. Postal Service First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express must be sent to 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.

People with Disabilities. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530.

Ex Parte Rules. The proceeding this Notice initiates shall be treated as “permit-but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission’s ex parte rules.8 Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter’s written comments, memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants in these proceedings should familiarize themselves with the Commission’s ex parte rules.

For further information, please contact Elizabeth Drogula, Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, at (202) 418-1591 or via e-mail at Elizabeth.Drogula@fcc.gov

For background, Cottage Grove is working with Gateway Fiber to deploy in their community. (I shared that announcement in July.) They posted an RFP. In March 2025, they answered clarifying questions concerning the RFP, including questions on the rights of way…

Question: With respect to 47 U.S. Code § 253 – Removal of barriers to entry – No State or local statute or regulation, or other State or local legal requirement, may prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the ability of any entity to provide any interstate or intrastate telecommunications service – and Minnesota State Statute 237.163 – USE AND REGULATION OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY, Subdivisions 1-4 – this RFP seems to be in conflict with both. Can you clarify the guidance you are following that deems this RFP in compliance with both regulations?

Answer: 47 U.S. Code § 253, or Chapter 5 of Title 47: Telecommunications, is not applicable here as it applies to wire or radio communications. Broadband is governed under Chapter 12 of Title 47 (47 U.S. Code § 1301-1308). The federal regulations governing broadband to do not prohibit the City from regulating their public rights-of-way.

Municipalities have several legal rights when it comes to managing or restricting access to public rights-of-way (ROW) for broadband companies. These rights are typically established under federal, state, and local laws.

The City of Cottage Grove is not attempting to restrict or prohibit access to public rights-of-way for broadband companies. The City has simply implemented a fair and efficient manner in which to regulate and manage the installation and maintenance of broadband services through their Request for Proposals. The City’s primary goal is to provide sufficient broadband to each area of the City in an efficient and orderly manner – taking into account the limited space within the public rights-of-ways and the access needs of the community during construction.

Under Minn. Stat. 237.163, a local government is specifically authorized to manage and regulate the use of public rights of way. The legislature found it necessary to give local governments this authority because of the potential for installation by broadband companies of multiple and competing facilities within the public rights-of-way. Therefore, a local government may exercise the option to regulate the use of public rights-of-way so long as the regulation is carried out in a fair, efficient, competitively neutral, and substantially uniform manner. The City of Cottage Grove has chosen to exercise this option and manage the public rights-of-way pursuant to Cottage Grove City Code § 7-6-2.

The City’s authority to regulate the use of public rights-of-way is further iterated in Minn. Stat. § 116J.399, Subd. 8 which states “the placement of broadband infrastructure to provide broadband service . . . is subject to local government permitting the right-of-way management authority under section 237.163, and must be coordinated with the relevant local government unit . . .”

In summary, Minnesota municipalities have well-defined rights and responsibilities authorizing them to manage public rights-of-way concerning broadband companies. This authority is balanced with obligations to ensure non-discriminatory practices and to facilitate the deployment of broadband services for the public benefit.

Broadband Communities on progress of Paul Bunyan Communications in Itasca and St. Louis counties

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I have been tracking the progress as it happens, but always nice to see Minnesota broadband stories outside of Minnesota – Broadband Communities reports…

A broadband expansion in Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region has reached 65% completion in the city of Coleraine, according to a recent update posted by the firm behind the project, Paul Bunyan Communications.

Additionally, work in the city of Bovey set to commence once Coleraine’s project is finished, according to the company.

Meanwhile, in Bearville Township, Paul Bunyan Communications says construction is complete, and fiber splicing is scheduled to start shortly.

Also, in St. Louis County, the internet provider says construction in Sandy Pike and Wuori Township is finished, with fiber splicing underway, and services expected to be available by September.

Other areas such as Alango and Owens Townships are nearing completion, with fiber splicing planned and service anticipated by the end of September. …

Overall, the project is estimated to cost around $7.5 million, according to a local news report, and is supported by the State of Minnesota’s Low-Density Population Grant Program, alongside contributions from Paul Bunyan Communications and local townships.

Paul Bunyan Communications Update: Broadband Expansion Progressing in Itasca and St. Louis Counties

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From Paul Bunyan Communications…

As the summer construction season moves along, Paul Bunyan Communications continues to make great progress on its broadband expansion across parts of Itasca and St. Louis Counties.
Status of Paul Bunyan Communications Broadband Expansion projects:
•Itasca County:
City of Coleraine- Construction is in progress with 65% completed
City of Bovey- Construction will start once completed in Coleraine
Bearville(s) Township- Construction is done. Fiber splicing will start this month
•St. Louis County:
Sandy Pike, & Wuori Township- Construction is done, fiber splicing has started. Services should become available in September
Alango & Owens Township- Construction is 90% done, fiber splicing will start once done. Services should become available by end of September.
Angora Township- Construction has started
Balkan Township- Construction has started
French Township- Construction is done. Fiber splicing will start this month
Great Scott Township & unorganized township north of Great Scott- Construction expected to start in September
Once the network is operational in a project area, customers who signed up for service will be contacted to schedule service installations.
Sign Up Now to Ensure Fiber Optic Connection Residents and businesses in these expansion areas are encouraged to sign up for service now, before construction crews move on to ensure the fiber optic connection is brought up to the location. That can be done online at http://www.gigazone.com, by phone, or in person at our Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center.
Services Available Upon Completion Once the network is live, customers will have access to Paul Bunyan’s GigaZone® services, including high-speed fiber-optic Internet with speeds up to 10 Gig and dependable, low-cost unlimited local and long-distance GigaZone® voice services.

Office of Broadband Development and Legislators visit East Central Energy fiber network in Pine City

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The Isanti-Chisago County Star reports…

Officials from the Minnesota Legislature and the Office of Broadband Development joined East Central Energy staff in Pine City on July 17 to observe speed testing and review the progress of the cooperative’s state-supported broadband expansion.

The visit marked a milestone in ECE’s fiber buildout, funded in part by $15 million in grants awarded in December 2022 through the state’s Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program. The project spans Isanti, Kanabec and Pine counties and aims to deliver high-speed fiber internet to 7,584 homes and businesses in some of the region’s most underserved areas.

Sen. Aric Putman, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Broadband and Rural Development, and Rep. Nathan Nelson of District 11B joined the visit. They were accompanied by Bree Maki and Mike Wimmer of the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development. The group watched performance testing by Connected Nation, the state’s contracted verifier, which is ensuring the network meets speed and coverage requirements.

A view of BEAD changes from a fiber manufacturer via NPR’s Marketplace

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Kai Ryssdal, from National Public Radio’s Marketplace,. spoke to a fiber manufacturer a year ago and this week about how changes to BEAD’s take on fiber has impacted his work…

Patrick Jacobi is SVP of digital solutions in North America for Prysmian. He joined Ryssdal to talk about how the policy change is playing out in the fiber internet supply chain, and how other economic headwinds are creating both challenges and opportunities for the company.

You can listen to the full interview online.

CenturyLink defaults on 41,000 RDOF locations after BEAD maps are updated

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Doug Dawson reports…

CenturyLink told the FCC recently that it is defaulting on 41,000 RDOF locations spread across eight states and 153 Census block groups. That’s a big portion of the 77,000 locations that the company won in the RDOF reverse auction. CenturyLink originally was awarded $262.3 million in subsidies, spread over ten years.

There are a number of consequences of this default. First, this has now happened after states made BEAD maps and allocation. That makes it likely that nobody will be bringing improved broadband to the default areas. If the defaults had happened earlier, these areas could have been rolled into the BEAD process.

CenturyLink should expect a significant fine. In 2024, the FCC fined two companies that defaulted on RDOF. Etheric Communications was fined $732,000 for defaulting on 244 locations. GigFire (LTD Broadband) was fined $21.7 million for defaulting on 7,238 locations. Mercury Broadband was fined $14.2 million in a separate FCC decision and is also expected to return all RDOF funding for the defaulted areas.

If CenturyLink is fined at the same level or around $3,000 per location as the recent defaults, the fine will be $123 million. Additionally, roughly half of the RDOF funding has flowed to auction winners, meaning CenturyLink would have to return approximately $65 million of RDOF subsidy to the FCC.

The CenturyLink default defies the usual explanation of RDOF defaults. Many other defaults have been blamed on the FCC’s auction rules that didn’t pre-qualify companies before entering the auction. That resulted in companies winning RDOF that had weak balance sheets or insufficient financial backing.

But any pre-qualifying process would have easily allowed CenturyLink to enter the RDOF auction. CenturyLink is now obviously in financial distress and has decided that fines are less expensive than completing the required construction.

Quantum Fiber talks about how older building can work on getting FTTP

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RE Journals reports…

Vintage properties, however, need not be left behind. Tara Michlitsch, a sales manager at Quantum Fiber, explains that older buildings can gain a valuable amenity that helps retain the property’s competitive appeal with a fiber internet retrofit or “overbuild.”

The overbuild process: Bringing fiber to the unit

“A fiber overbuild brings high-speed fiber directly to each unit—complete with WiFi equipment in place so residents can access high-speed service as soon as installation is finished,” explains Michlitsch. Careful design and coordination play a pivotal role in minimizing disruption and maintaining the visual appeal of property. The overbuild process may change depending on the internet service provider (ISP), but typically unfolds as follows:

  1.  Network design: The ISP’s engineers identify pathways to bring fiber onto the property, to each building and to all units. Design options may include running fiber underground to locations near buildings, followed by dropping fiber lines through building attics, storage closets, garages or places that can be inconspicuous.
  2. Exterior work: Bringing fiber to the building may involve trenching, boring, or installing the fiber network while minimizing inconvenience and preserving landscaping and exteriors.
  3. Interior work: Fiber is routed to each unit with careful attention to concealment and aesthetics. Each residence receives a fiber-ready modem, with every connection thoroughly tested.
  4. Network activation: Once the new network is live, residents can gain immediate access to ultra-fast broadband, facilitating modern amenities, smart devices, and seamless work-from-home experiences.

Critical considerations for selecting an internet partner

According to Michlitsch, owners and property management firms eyeing a fiber overbuild should carefully assess several key factors when selecting an ISP:

  • Cost management: Keeping expenses under control is crucial to maximizing ROI. While labor and material costs can add up quickly, experienced fiber providers can offer accurate budgeting and creative solutions to help make retrofits more affordable than many expect.

  • Quality of work: The reliability and satisfaction of residents hinge on the quality of the installation. Subpar design or implementation can lead to persistent internet issues, extra work for building staff, and even damage a community’s reputation.

  • Attention to aesthetics: Preserving the building’s appearance is a top priority. Upgrades should involve running cables discreetly, leveraging existing conduits and pathways whenever possible, and concealing new ones behind walls or ceilings to maintain curb appeal and interior aesthetics.

  • Project timelines: The timeframe for completing a retrofit can be significant, but efficient project management allows for completion in a timely manner—without cutting corners or unnecessarily disrupting residents.

  • Customer service: Post-installation support is vital. The right ISP can demonstrate a commitment to clear communication, responsive troubleshooting, and ongoing resident satisfaction well after the upgrade is complete.

 

Sign up now in Breitung MN for FTHH for free installation (St Louis County)

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The Timberjay reports…

At their July 15 meeting, the Breitung Town Board emphasized the importance for residents to sign up for broadband internet service where it will soon be available, including the areas around Hoodoo Point, Puncher Point, and Mallard Drive.
Chairman Matt Tuchel said this is everyone’s “opportunity to get this installed free, under the grant. If they do not do that and wait, they will have to pay that installation fee which could be as much as $5,000-$10,000, depending on terrain and how they have to run the line. It can be a significant savings when it’s covered under the grant but they need to sign up.”
Tuchel asked that residents get in touch with their neighbors to make sure they’ve signed up. Almost 200 residences have signed up so far.
Every household in the eligible neighborhoods should have been contacted to sign up by now. If you haven’t been contacted or are unsure if your home is in the service area, call the town hall. Construction to lay the fiber lines will begin on July 28.
In the project’s next phase, the board hopes to get broadband to Echo Point and McKinley Park Acres. These areas were previously planned to get broadband but installing fiber through these areas, which has extensive bedrock, proved too expensive. The board, along with other municipalities, CTC and Lake Country Power are exploring the possibility of having fiber internet brought in on power lines.
To complete the project, a study is required which will cost $175,000. The money will come from Breitung Township, Beatty Township, Greenwood Township, Vermilion Lake Township, the new Goodwill Township, and the city of Tower. Breitung’s share would be 10.65-percent, serving 108 addresses.
Breitung estimated their cost of the study would be $18,637.