| By Big Radio News Staff |
The effort to expand and improve broadband internet access in rural areas of Rock County continues.
Internet service providers are pitching to Rock County’s ad hoc broadband committee for a chance to receive a cut of money from the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, or BEAD. It’s designed to improve rural internet infrastructure and access.
The county committee’s role is to endorse the ISP’s; the state’s Public Service Commission will make the final decisions on recipients.
Two providers, Brightspeed Communications and Bertram Communications, presented Tuesday night. Another meeting is scheduled next Tuesday to hear other presentations.
Meanwhile, Bug Tussel Wireless is still building out its rural fiber-optic network in the county. The company’s work is about 80% done, and committee chair RJ Sutterlin says residents have already gained new or faster access to the internet via the Bug Tussel network.
