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Committee reviews broadband inventory, BEAD process and strategic-plan measures; county awaits PSC awards
Summary
Committee members reviewed Marathon County’s updated broadband data inventory and discussed broadband-equity (BEAD) program timelines. Staff said about 4,400 properties remain eligible as un/underserved under BEAD maps and that the federal approval timeline may be delayed by 90 days, potentially pushing project starts later.
Marathon County staff told the Infrastructure Committee May 1 that an updated broadband data inventory is posted on the county website and that Marathon County Pulse data suggests roughly 88% of households have access to high-speed service under the county’s reporting definitions.
John (staff) briefed the committee on the federal BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) process and the Public Service Commission’s role in evaluating Internet service provider proposals. He said the county is "on the outside looking in" while the Public Service Commission evaluates competing proposals and negotiates awards; round-one applicants included Mosaic, Bertram and Bug Tussle. Staff reported the PSC identified approximately 4,400 locations that remain eligible as unserved or underserved under BEAD criteria, while other locations are in various stages of private buildouts or alternative funding programs.
John said the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the FCC have asked for a 90-day pause in the federal review of state BEAD plans to evaluate eligibility criteria and technology preferences (particularly fiber to the premise vs. satellite). Staff said the pause could move an anticipated August submission window to November and could delay physical construction in 2025 and possibly into 2026.
The committee also reviewed strategic-plan outcome measures tied to broadband and to county highway pavement ratings. Staff noted the county’s PACER pavement score has remained above 7.0 since 2015, and broadband inventory work is ongoing. Committee members discussed whether to keep percentage targets for household access in the next strategic plan, given measurement challenges.
Staff said county representatives will meet with Bug Tussle management the following week to align expectations and review schedules for local builds and financing arrangements the county has in place.
