Broadband

Governor Walker is asking the legislature to make large investments in upgrading high speed internet in mostly rural areas of the state.

In comments prepared by his office, Walker asked the legislature to act...

"....today we called on the state legislature to provide an additional $35.5 million dollars for broadband expansion and technology improvements over the next three years...."

He also wants money to go to schools...

Several Northwoods communities will have the option of faster internet service in the upcoming months after a recent announcement by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.

More than a dozen telecom companies and local economic development agencies could receive a total of $1.5 million under the government grants.

Oneida County Economic Development Corporation received more than $180,000. Executive Director Roger Luce. Luce says the money will provide wireless high speed internet to about 310 square miles within the most rural parts of Oneida county....

Earlier this week, Governor Scott Walker announced a new initiative called the Broadband Forward Community Certification Program. A state spokesperson says the program will help communities pave the way for improved broadband coverage.

Public Service Commission of Wisconsin spokesperson Elise Nelson says the program makes it easier for communities to get through the application process....

Oneida County Economic Development Director Roger Luce was putting the final touches on a grant application Thursday that, if approved, could have a large impact on some underserved broadband areas.

The grant application is for more than $400,000 with a local fund match of more than $180,000. Luce says the project will add new equipment on existing Oneida county towers and , if approved, will impact a much larger portion of Oneida county that is underserved....

The recently-hired Oneida county UW-Extension agent says he found an issue front and center which mirrors what he found in another rural area: the need for more high-speed internet.

Myles Alexander is the Community, Natural Resources and Economic Development Educator in Rhinelander.

Last week, Governor Scott Walker made several stops handing out money set aside in the state budget for broadband development in rural Wisconsin.

While in Antigo, Walker said the projects near Land O' Lakes, White Lake in Langlade county and Mattoon in Shawano county highlight a need in the Northwoods: better high-speed internet.

He says this is especially true in the tourism-dependent Northwoods...

Governor Walker stopped in Antigo Thursday  morning to announced two broadband expansion grants in the area.

The grants are for $70,000 and $150,000 to expand broadband service in Langlade and Shawano counties. The money is part of $1.5 million put into the state budget to expand broadband in rural areas. Walker made the announcement at the Wittenberg Telephone office in Antigo.

A Northwoods high speed internet and telephone provider is getting nearly a quarter-million dollars to expand high speed internet service toward Land O' Lakes and other communities.

ChoiceTel of Eagle River picked up a broadband expansion grant from the state, as part of a $1.5 million broadband expansion grant. The ChoiceTel grant is for just over $249,000.

ChoiceTel owner Ted Bogeman says this will extend the current high speed service about 18 more miles....

Grow North Regional Economic Development Incorporated has sent out a number of surveys to Northwoods towns to gather information on Internet use.

Executive Director Angi Schreiber says the surveys will help get a clearer picture of broadband in the Northwoods...

"....residential, home-based business and businesses. We have teacher surveys going out to the schools. Those should be distributed directly to the schools. Those will be sent directly to the schools. The business and home-based business surveys will be hitting mailboxes this week..."