Rally Networks details EACAM-backed fiber build in Gilliam County; company forecasts customer connections in 2026 and construction completion in 2027

JONATHAN CANNON, government-affairs manager for Rally (RELA) Networks, briefed the county on the company's fiber build and federal funding under the FCC—ACAM model. He described the build boundaries, funding mechanics and the company's timetable for customer connections.

"We will start connecting customers in 2026," Cannon said, adding construction completion is expected in 2027. He described the build as "fiber to the premise" and said the standard customer installation approach is a $50 deposit and a $50 installation fee for most connections.

Nut graf: Rally Networks told the court it has installed conduit and aerial fiber miles in Gilliam County and will use federal EACAM funding (the successor to ACAM) to offset the cost of rural deployment. The company reported installed conduit and aerial fiber, progress by corridor, a 240-mile total project, and a plan to begin customer hook-ups next year; county officials asked for details on locations where the standard $50 installation may not cover special conditions (long driveways, unusual right-of-way needs).

Key points from the presentation

- Funding model: Cannon explained EACAM (Enhanced Alternative Connect America Model) is a universal-service-fund mechanism administered by the FCC that provides recurring support to rural carriers in exchange for build commitments. He noted EACAM is separate from BEAD (the federal broadband program tied to school-district boundaries) and that EACAM support is scheduled for the next 15 years for accepted locations.

- Project scope and progress: The company reported roughly 85 miles of conduit and aerial fiber installed so far. Cannon said the company had built approximately 90% of the network between Condon and Mayville and about 75% between Condon and Long Rock. The total build is about 240 miles, and the company expects construction to finish in 2027.

- Household connections and fees: Cannon described the network as fiber to the premise (to the property line); when a customer requests service the company typically charges a $50 deposit and a $50 installation fee and runs the drop within approximately 10 days in most cases. He acknowledged there are unusual circumstances (very long driveways or difficult access) that could require additional review and potentially different costs.

- Speeds and service packages: EACAM's minimum requirement is 100/20 Mbps, Cannon said, but the company plans to offer higher symmetrical packages for new fiber connections (250/250, 500/500, 1 Gbps, and 2 Gbps). Cannon cited example retail pricing: about $79 for 250/250 and about $120 for 1 Gbps symmetric service.

- Outreach and preregistration: Raleigh/Rally will use EveryDoor direct mail, website preregistration, QR codes, social media and targeted door-hanger campaigns to notify residents as the company prepares to activate service in a specific area. Cannon said he would provide county contacts with a list of serviceable locations that might require installation costs above the standard $50 so the county and company could consider possible local cost-share or other solutions.

County discussion and follow-up

Commissioners asked about specific long-driveway cases and whether the county or company could pursue cost-sharing; Cannon said he would have staff produce a list of broadband-serviceable locations (BSLs) that may exceed standard installation assumptions so the county can evaluate local options. Cannon also reminded contractors to call 811 before digging once fiber is in the ground to avoid costly outages.

Quotes

"So it's fiber to the premise, which means it's to the basically, along the street to the property line. And then if a customer, if someone wants to hook up, then we hook them up, to the fiber network," Jonathan Cannon said.

"There are unusual circumstances. You know, if a customer has a driveway that's more than 1,500 feet or a half mile long or a mile long, then we look at that on an individual basis," Cannon said.

Background

Rally/Rela Networks operates in multiple states and has accepted EACAM funding in its Oregon service areas. The company said EACAM support makes rural fiber builds financially feasible by providing a long-term revenue stream tied to build obligations; the universal-service fund that supports EACAM is paid by fees on traditional telephone service.

Ending

Rally will provide county staff with a more specific list of locations likely to exceed standard installation fees; county staff and commissioners indicated they would consider whether a local cost-share or other policy should be explored for hard-to-reach premises.