Vanderburgh Commissioners Sign Broadband Contract
(stock photo courtesy: Pexels/Brett Sayles)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Vanderburgh County Commission has signed a $40 million contract with AT&T (NYSE: T) to install all-fiber, broadband service to unincorporated areas of the county. The county is using nearly $10 million in public funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to bring high speed internet to nearly 20,000 customers in underserved parts of the county.
The technology company is investing approximately $30 million in the project.
“It is difficult to participate in today’s economy without uninterrupted, high-quality access to the Internet. Without Internet access, our children have restricted educational opportunities, our residents have less access to many resources, including banking and health care,” said Vanderburgh County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave.
The commission says it has taken solid steps to build a foundation for digital infrastructure, including passage of the 2018 Broadband Ready Ordinance. The measure removed barriers by creating a 10-day permitting process and created tax exemption for new broadband investment.
“The prospect of moving from little or no service to excellent service is truly a transformational opportunity,” said Commissioner Ben Shoulders. “Fiber to the home and business is the pinnacle technology in today’s world and is considered “future proof” as well.”
The county says the project will be complete in two years.