Broadband task force waits on PSC decisions; county posts updated internet data inventory
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Summary
Marathon County staff reported the county's internet-service data inventory is online and that the Broadband Equity and Access Deployment (BEAD/BED) process at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission is paused while federal reviewers evaluate eligibility criteria; the county remains engaged with providers that submitted proposals.
County staff told the Infrastructure Committee that the county has published an improved inventory of internet service speeds on its website and that Marathon County Pulse shows about 88% of households with access to high-speed internet under locally available measures.
John, who presented the broadband update, said the county worked with the Public Service Commission (PSC) to improve mapping accuracy and posted the county inventory online so residents can check providers in their area. "That is actually from Marathon County Pulse... that's 88% had access to, what they considered Internet service, high speed Internet service," he said, while cautioning that the metric may not exactly match the 50/10 megabits-per-second definition used in some programs.
John also described the state-level Broadband Equity and Access Deployment program process (sometimes referenced in the meeting as the BED or BEAD program). He said several internet service providers — which staff identified as Mosaic, Bertram and BUG TESOL in the competitive rounds — submitted proposals covering parts of Marathon County. The PSC reviews proposals in rounds, negotiates on cost and technology, and issues preliminary awards before public comment. John said the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has requested a 90-day delay in federal review of state plans, which could move an August submittal to the federal government to November and slow project start dates.
County staff said they are not actively running the Broadband Task Force while PSC reviews are underway. John said county representatives plan to meet with new management at one provider next week to align expectations and schedules. Staff also noted that PSC data show about 4,400 properties currently eligible under the BEAD/BED program's definition of unserved or underserved, though other provider-funded builds and alternative funding programs may change final eligibility and deployment timing.
Committee members asked whether the county should keep percentage targets in future strategic plans and how to measure progress; staff said the data inventory and periodic updates will help inform those decisions when the county revises its strategic plan.
