The real story about broadband in rural Montana

A popular political narrative these days is to disparage the state of broadband infrastructure in Montana. Never mind evidence to the contrary.

On Dec. 25, James Grunke of the Missoula Economic Partnership wrote in the Missoulian that "Current broadband infrastructure is sorely lacking, particularly in rural areas that would benefit the most from reliable broadband access." Grunke appropriately recognizes the importance of broadband connectivity. He recognizes, too, that Montana is a "vast" state. But then he leaps into the unknown–for him–by asserting that broadband infrastructure, particularly in rural Montana, is "sorely lacking."

A popular political narrative these days is to disparage the state of broadband infrastructure in Montana. Never mind evidence to the contrary.

On Dec. 25, James Grunke of the Missoula Economic Partnership wrote in the Missoulian that "Current broadband infrastructure is sorely lacking, particularly in rural areas that would benefit the most from reliable broadband access." Grunke appropriately recognizes the importance of broadband connectivity. He recognizes, too, that Montana is a "vast" state. But then he leaps into the unknown–for him–by asserting that broadband infrastructure, particularly in rural Montana, is "sorely lacking."

Grunke is mistaken.

GEOFF FEISS

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/the-real-story-about-broadband-in-rural-montana/article_bb8a63b3-6c8b-57ed-81da-f6dfdced69ba.html

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City Club Missoula Presents: Conquering Montana’s Digital Divide: Rural Broadband, 1/9, Missoula

http://www.matr.net/article-74954.html