Faster broadband speeds are coming to Lin¬coln County and they are coming soon. That's what Northwest Open Access Net-work (NoaNet) representative Mike Henson told a group of 43 citizens at a Jan. 26 public forum in Davenport. Henson, invited by the Lincoln County Economic Development Council (EDC), explained that his organization had received $140 million in federal grants to find enhanced broadband expansion to rural Washington — and that between $5 and $6 million is expected to be invested in Lincoln County.

The grant funding pays for the infrastructure itself— but not for the services provided once it is in place. NoaNet is responsible for bringing infrastructure to libraries and medical facilities in "underserved" areas, those where DSL is available to some, but not all.

Of Lincoln County's eight municipalities, these underserved areas included Harrington, Odessa, Reardan and Wilbur, Infrastructure to Davenport's library and medical facilities will be provided since NoaNet will be coming through the city anyway. Sprague has a library but was not deemed "underserved" because there is similar fiber in place in that area, but isn't being utilized by the fiber owner. Almira and Creston had no libraries or clinics and so were not on the map. However, Henson said, NoaNet already has a presence in Creston and will be crossing through again, making it possible for that com¬munity to tap into the infrastructure through a provider. He anticipates a request for construction proposals to be announced in the vicinity of March 1 with work scheduled to start in June and completed by the first quarter of 2012.

What it will cost in rates to utilize the new infrastructure hasn't yet been determined, he added, but a price structure is expected by April. It will be up to individuals and their pro-viders to get wiring from the main anchor to their locations. Henson strongly encouraged anyone interested in having future access to the anchor infrastructure to contact NoaNet now. It may be possible to have a point of connection installed now instead of later, saving costs for both parties.

Responding to audience questions about how this infrastructure will affect existing providers in the county, Henson asked that they contact him directly to discuss that. He may be reached at (360) 815-4630 or mhenson@noanet.net.

Map NoaNet Impact   Broadband USA Fact Sjeet 1     Broadband USA Fact Sheet 2

Broadband Report

12/28/10
The Lincoln County Economic Development Council (EDC) believes in taking a proactive approach when it comes to our local economy. This broadband information has been provided to you as a service of the EDC’s members. Please forward to anyone who may be interested.

Last April, the EDC scheduled a Public Workshop in Lincoln County on behalf of Washington’s Department of Information Services (DIS), a division of the Dept. of Commerce (DOC). The DIS had received a grant to research the State’s broadband availability, speeds and provider options and were holding workshops in several counties across the state to give the public a chance to participate. The County workshops were cancelled due to DOC budget cuts, but a regional workshop was eventually held in Spokane and the DIS used public input from that workshop, plus feedback collected from online surveys and speed tests, to compile the REPORT LINKED HERE. The availability, speed and provider data was also mapped. Results for Lincoln County can be viewed using static maps or an interactive map on the DIS website http://wabroadbandmapping.org/.

Thank you,
Margie Hall, Exec. Director
Lincoln County Economic Development Council