Montana group calls for study on high speed Internet access

Telecommunication service is known to vary widely in availability, quality, and cost for Western Montana residents. Because of this inconsistency, Marcy Allen, executive director of the BitterRoot Economic Development District is calling a for a publicly funded study that would map the areas of poor cell phone service and existing fiber optical cable lines in order to see where more are needed the most.  BitterRoot Economic Development District (BREDD), the federally designated economic development district for Western Montana Region covering Ravalli, Mineral, and Missoula counties.

BREDD is trying to get $1,000 from Mineral, Ravalli and Missoula counties, as well as a lesser amount from a host of municipalities to cover 20 percent of the study's cost and the rest could be funded by state and federal grants. The total cost of the study would be about $30,000.  All over the state, especially in the very rural areas, service coverage is undependable, if even available. This lack of coverage is affecting companies who pay for high speed access and rely on it for success, and yet half of the time have trouble with spotty access. The government-funded study is the only way to objectively find out where work needs to be done on high speed Internet access.

“It's one of the boxes companies check when they look to locate their business.  In order to compete in a global marketplace, they need access to the Internet” said Marcy Allen, executive director of BitterRoot.

It would not only be an important tool for public growth, but one for education and public safety as well.  Representatives from both Qwest Communications and Bresnan Communications - two major providers in Montana - said they support public-private partnerships and improving services.

If the local governments agree to pay for the study, it could begin as early as July. This proposed study could provide the information needed to move Montana closer to solid access, benefiting everyone from businesses to students and civic organizations to telemedicine opportunities.

Proposed study would map fiber optics, gaps in cell service (The Missoulian)