Mont. companies, PSC assail stimulus Internet idea

Tools

By The Associated Press

Story Published: Nov 2, 2009 at 1:09 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 2, 2009 at 1:09 PM MDT

HELENA - Some telephone companies and the Montana Public Service Commission are criticizing a stimulus proposal that would fund a Bresnan Communications project to expand high-speed Internet service in the state.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer has urged the federal government to fully fund Bresnan's stimulus application for $70 million to build an 1,885-mile fiber-optic network that links Montana's seven Indian reservations.

Supporters of the project, including Montana's Indian tribes, say the new network eventually will provide faster, cheaper high-speed Internet service to many rural areas.

Critics of the proposal say the proposed line would duplicate long-distance fiber-optic lines that already exist. They say it does not increase critical "last-mile" high-speed lines to homes and businesses.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KULR-8 News, Sports, Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Your Weather Authority

Icon
Current Temp 43.0 °F
Fair
Wind : Southwest at
10.4 mph
Humidity : 45 %
Pressure : 30.34 in
More Weather

State Farm Sky Cam

More Weather

AP Video

On Demand

Stock Quotes
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Cast Your Vote

School District 2 trustees plan to travel to California and New York to continue the interview process in the superintendent search. Do you agree or disagree with this use of funds?

  • Agree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion

Links We Like