Supervisors hear rural broadband internet study report – Chico Enterprise-Record

OROVILLE — Internet service options in rural Butte County are notoriously limited, almost to the point of being dangerous for some during emergencies and major weather events.

Potential disruptions in AT&T landline service and a lack of cell towers have added to the stress in recent months as residents in these areas wonder if there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

On Tuesday, the Butte County Board of Supervisors heard from Deputy Administrator Katie Simmons and consultant Shelley Westall about a recently launched feasibility study that looks at eventually The possibility of bringing broadband internet to rural Butte County.

Westall, who works for Tilson Technologies and was contracted by the Golden State Monetary Authority to conduct the study, said the project includes engaging with the public while emphasizing aspects such as businesses and anchor institutions. In her speech, Westal said outreach is important.

“When we started our study, we conducted a series of community surveys,” Westall said. “We surveyed local businesses, we surveyed ISPs and of course community anchors, which include schools, health care facilities, etc. Chambers of Commerce, ISPs through the (Federal Communications Commission) reporting process, and then we Own outreach and then community anchor agencies through the (California Public Utilities Commission).”

Research shows that 83.8% of homes in Butte County are connected to the Internet through high-speed fiber optic or wired networks. For the fixed wireless option, that number dropped to 76.5% at the lowest speed and 42.3% at the medium speed.

funds

Like most infrastructure projects, broadband doesn’t come cheap.

Part of Tuesday’s presentation focused on funding the long-term implementation of broadband and the infrastructure it requires. Westall did not elaborate on the funding situation, calling it “constantly changing.”

“I would say that the CPUC is working on the (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Plan, or BEAD) recommendations and the BEAD proposal,” Westall said. “This is coming and I encourage everyone to provide as much feedback as possible to the CPUC on how it works and how they will look for possible areas for funding.”

Westall said BEAD itself prioritizes unserved communities first, then moves on to underserved communities and eventually the aforementioned anchor agencies.

Much of the funding comes from Senate Bill 156, which would provide a total of $6 billion over three years to boost broadband infrastructure across California. About $3.25 billion of that amount is expected to go directly to acquiring, building and maintaining so-called middle-mile networks. Under the bill, middle-mile networks refer directly to areas that are underserved in terms of expanding broadband internet.

Last mile networks refer to the infrastructure that serves institutions such as schools, as well as Internet users with disabilities and low-income families.

Westall said the next steps in the research include identifying ways to build broadband infrastructure and developing a strategic financing plan.

The project is for informational purposes only and does not require a board vote.

Other business

In addition to presentations on broadband internet, the board heard the following:

• The board imposed liens on a series of properties as recommended by code enforcement. The properties were declared a public nuisance due to issues such as illegal marijuana cultivation. A total of five properties were reviewed.