12/20/2019- One phone and internet provider is making a major push to increase broadband access in Marinette County. CenturyLink is working with the federal government under the Connect America Fund to use telephone exchanges and digital nodes to expand internet coverage. Peter Johnson Sr with CenturyLink says the program has existed for about three years now, but efforts in 2019 and 2020 will finally bring access to some of the most under-served parts of the county.
The company has started or proposed expansion work in nearly every region of Marinette County. However, there remain some residents who still can’t get online. Johnson says the county’s topography and government red tape have presented some significant cost and permitting hurdles.
Most of CenturyLink’s current broadband expansion efforts should have residents online by the end of next year, though some carryover 2019 projects are actually expected to wrap up in the first half of 2020.