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State broadband backbone will be built first; West Shore customer connections delayed
Summary
Committee heard that the state's Department of Technology is funding backbone transmission infrastructure first; in the district, West Shore customer connections will not happen this year and providers will handle later customer hookups, starting from South Lake Inn and heading north.
Committee members discussed a statewide broadband rollout plan focused on backbone transmission infrastructure funded by the state Department of Technology. A committee member said the work will install backbone/transmission lines first and that customer connections will follow in later years, handled by local providers when that phase begins.
In the district the committee was told that planned West Shore customer connections are not scheduled for this year; work will begin from South Lake Inn and proceed northward. Committee members questioned short‑term benefits to the community and noted that after backbone installation, customer connections (for example by Comcast or other providers) are expected to be the responsibility of individual providers. Staff said the district's office connection is currently adequate and that the state‑led sequencing makes immediate local customer benefit uncertain.
Next steps: committee members will monitor the statewide deployment schedule and assess local connectivity needs as the backbone work and later customer connection phases advance.
