Upper Midwest telecompetitor Hickory Tech subsidiary Enventis is holding a groundbreaking ceremony in Duluth, Minnesota today to mark the start of construction of the Greater Minnesota Broadband Collaborative Project. The $24 million project will bring 100 megabyte (MB) fiber optic broadband access to 36 rural communities in 23 counties in northern Minnesota, including 74 Community Anchor Institutions, such as health care facilities, schools, libraries and public offices.
Enventis Hosts Groundbreaking for 430-fiber mile Greater Minnesota Broadband Collaborative Project
Posted by: Steve Senne | August 26th, 2011 | No Comments »
Auburn, Indiana Leverages FTTH for SmartGrid Project
Posted by: Mike Boehne | July 26th, 2011 | No Comments »
Back in 1985, the northeastern Indiana city of Auburn installed a fiber optic communications network backbone. Today, the municipality announced that it was leveraging its telecoms infrastructure further, selecting a smart grid communications backbone from Tantalus as it moves forwards with plans to install an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) that will cover both electricity and water services.
NTIA Begins Visits to Broadband Stimulus Winners
Posted by: Mike Boehne | March 8th, 2011 | No Comments »
Representatives of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will be visiting recipients of broadband stimulus funding to check the progress on their projects.
State of Wisconsin Declines Broadband Stimulus Award
Posted by: Mike Boehne | February 21st, 2011 | No Comments »
The state of Wisconsin has opted not to accept a $23 million broadband stimulus grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Agency. According to a report published in the Journal Sentinel, a local news outlet, state officials were concerned that the state could be responsible for repaying the entire $23 million if numerous requirements were not met.
Finley Engineering Broadband Stimulus Projects Total Over $350 Million in Value
Posted by: Mike Boehne | December 16th, 2010 | No Comments »
Finley Engineering is proud to report that we’re currently working on broadband stimulus funded projects that total more than $350 million, or 1/3 of a $1 billion, in total value.
Broadband Stimulus Funding May Lose $300 Million
Posted by: Mike Boehne | August 6th, 2010 | No Comments »
There’s somewhat of a see-saw movement happening with the remaining broadband stimulus funding of roughly $3 billion. The Senate has passed an amendment that cuts this remaining funding by $300 million. The cut still has to be approved by the House of Representatives.
Broadband Stimulus Funding Keeps Rolling In
Posted by: Mike Boehne | August 5th, 2010 | No Comments »
The Rural Utilities Service announced 126 projects valued at $1.2 billion in broadband stimulus funding on August 4. Small rural telcos were big winners with many DSL and fiber-based projects among the winners.
Kansas establishes broadband advisory task force
Posted by: Mike Boehne | July 20th, 2010 | No Comments »
Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson has established the Kansas Broadband Advisory Task Force with the goal of helping to implement the state’s Connect Kansas broadband Internet initiative.
“Access to broadband services is essential in supporting our communities and furthering economic development,” said Parkinson in a press release. “Whether you’re searching for a job, looking to enhance your education or accessing healthcare technologies, broadband is becoming the standard of Internet communications nationwide. I am pleased to form this task force that will help bring broadband access to all corners of Kansas and enhance economic opportunities for our state.”
States Can Play a Key Role in Broadband Deployment, Pew Report Finds
Posted by: Mike Boehne | June 21st, 2010 | No Comments »
The broadband stimulus program and the National Broadband Plan have generated increased interest and involvement in broadband deployment on the part of state governments, according to a new report from the Pew Center on the role of States in broadband deployment.
RUS Accepting Applications for ‘Third’ Broadband Stimulus Funding Round
Posted by: Mike Boehne | May 11th, 2010 | No Comments »
The Rural Utilities Service on May 7 issued a request for proposal for what amounts to a third round of broadband stimulus funding and has begun to accept applications for the new round. The agency plans to make approximately $105 million available in this round, the majority ($100 million) of which will be used to help cover the costs of bringing broadband satellite service to areas that currently do not receive broadband.
