Stimulus Grant Awarded - 02/19/2010 10:10 AM
For immediate release
February 18, 2010
For more information, contact:
Mark Weller, President/CEO
Access Wisconsin
608.244.4600, ext 1
Federal grant brings fiber optic broadband to 380 Wisconsin communities
$28.7 million project will expand infrastructure for rural schools and libraries
BadgerNet infrastructure will benefit rural businesses and residents
Wisconsin’s local telephone companies say they are ready to go to work installing fiber optic cable to improve broadband access at schools and libraries in 380 communities across Wisconsin. The work is the result of a new federal grant to the state Department of Administration (DOA).
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act grant to improve the state’s telecommunications network was announced today in Green Bay by Governor Jim Doyle, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Dennis Hightower and Congressman Steve Kagen.
“On behalf of the telecommunication industry, we want to congratulate the state on its successful application and thank the federal government for the opportunity to help meet the telecommunications needs of rural Wisconsin,” said Mark Weller of the Wisconsin BadgerNet Access Alliance (WBAA).
“The Recovery Act grant will bring fiber optic broadband to areas where it would otherwise be too expensive to build. There aren’t enough customers to justify the cost of the investment without the help of these funds," Weller said. “The federal grant, along with a 20% state match, is providing the kind of infrastructure for rural schools and libraries that will meet their needs for decades.”
The new fiber optic broadband connections will provide new education and economic opportunities in 380 largely rural communities across Wisconsin. Schools and libraries in those communities will gain dramatically expanded telecommunications access, while the installation of new infrastructure will help make broadband access available for businesses and residents.
The $28.7 million project will provide fiber optic connections to approximately 467 community anchor institutions in 380 Wisconsin communities.
The ARRA grant to the DOA is for improvements to the BadgerNet Converged Network (BCN), which provides video and data services to more than 1,900 public sector institutions, including K-12 schools, public libraries, universities, technical colleges, state agencies and local governments. It is the one of the largest state networks of its type in the nation. The service is provided to the state by telephone companies in WBAA.
Some of the school districts and most of the libraries in BCN currently receive broadband via a limited copper infrastructure, which will now be upgraded to fiber.
“BadgerNet has been incredibly successful in making affordable telecommunications services, like interactive distance education, available in schools throughout the state. Our public-private partnership had made educational opportunities – from foreign languages and advanced math to museum visits or live open-heart surgeries – available where they would not otherwise be possible,” Weller said.
“The demand for bandwidth from schools and libraries is rapidly increasing. The federal funds will ensure that the state’s network will have the infrastructure to meet those demands,” he added. “This statewide data and video network also allows for collaboration between all levels of government and cost savings through application and resource sharing. The growing video component is helping state agencies save on travel expenses, improve productivity and decrease carbon emissions.”
The BadgerNet expansion project is shovel-ready. Weller said the equivalent of 150 jobs are estimated to be provided laying and installing the fiber optic cable over the next eighteen months. However, the biggest economic benefits will be for residents and businesses along the cable routes. “The capacity of fiber optic cable is immense,” he said. “Once the infrastructure is there, telephone companies can provide new broadband opportunities to residents and businesses.”
The benefits to users who are not part of BadgerNet are intended. “One of the primary goals of BadgerNet has been to take advanced telecommunications infrastructure statewide, with the state as the anchor tenant. Once that infrastructure is there, everyone benefits,” Weller said.
“BadgerNet also ensures that students and communities throughout the state have equity in their opportunities,” he added. “We are proud to be participants in BCN and in the fiber project that the Recovery Act funds have made possible.”
Weller said he appreciates the continued commitment of Governor Jim Doyle to BadgerNet and its goals. “This project would not have been possible without the support of the Governor and the Department of Administration for this innovative network. We are looking forward to continuing our work with them in providing the benefits of advanced telecommunications throughout the state.”
