Bresnan’s fiber-optic plan in Montana questioned

With the help of $70 million in federal stimulus money, Montana could have a new fiber-optic network snaking across the state, bringing cheaper high-speed Internet service to the remotest corners of the state.

But the proposal from Bresnan Communications has been blasted by existing rural telecom firms and co-ops, which are asking questions: Who will pay to operate this network, and what will its true economic impact be?

They say the Bresnan network, financed by government money, will cut into their limited customer base and make it harder for all rural telecom providers to survive and still offer affordable service.

By MIKE DENNISON Gazette State Bureau

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_2ac89724-e7b1-11de-a9f0-001cc4c03286.html

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Rural Montana telecom providers escalate protests against $70M Bresnan contract http://matr.net/article-37063.html