Next Generation Broadband in Montana

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Pandemic or not, Montana needs robust broadband

A recent study revealed woefully inadequate or unaffordable broadband in many of our communities.

Bozeman Fiber is a community-owned nonprofit network offering gigabit fiber and a choice of providers and services.

Our current network is capable of providing gigabit service at any point on the fiber in our system. The system is expandable at any time, and within a couple of weeks we could grow from our current 30 gigabit system to a 100 gigabit system! If the demand was there, we have a nearly infinite ability to expand.

Western Governors’ Association report offers ideas for western communities to take advantage of economic opportunities

Address expansion of broadband access in rural communities and tribal lands

Social Justice, Broadband Top Priorities for Smart Cities

“How can you become a smart city when thousands of your residents can’t connect to the Internet to participate in online learning, to participate in remote work, to do online job training in order to even qualify for unemployment benefits, or to participate in interviews remotely.”

Does the Federal Broadband Definition Reflect Real-World Need?

In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission changed the definition of broadband in response to growing Internet demands. Experts differ on whether the COVID-19 crisis calls for another definition change in 2020.

Senator Tester Grills FCC Chairman on Plan to Spend Billions on Broadband Expansion without Accurate Coverage Maps – Senator: ‘The potential for wasting money here is just over the top”

The agency announced that it will roll out their $9 billion 5G Fund and their $20 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) before they are able to build accurate, granular service availability data through the implementation of Tester’s Broadband DATA Act.

State Broadband Task Forces, Commissions or Authorities and Other Broadband Resources

At least 26 states have enacted these active/current initiatives and authorities through legislation.

State AGs Recommend COVID-19 Broadband Funding – Is Your State Advocating for Better Broadband??

Permitted uses should include “investing in broadband infrastructure, giving schools and libraries flexibility in how to use broadband connections, subsidizing broadband access and providing Wi-Fi-enabled devices directly to students and patients in need.”

Elon Musk’s company SpaceX applies to offer high-speed internet service to Canadians

“With fast, reliable and affordable internet, rural areas will benefit immensely economically, and a lot of younger people won’t end up leaving for the city.”

Johns Hopkins CEO: 30% of doctor visits will shift to telehealth – Is Montana’s Internet Service Up to the Challenge?

The shift in recent months has been both vital and rapid, as person-to-person contact has been reduced to a minimum.

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Bear Paw Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips Counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.

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Great Falls trade area. Competitive for food, ag, bioprocessing, energy, and support. Closest U.S. metro area to Calgary. Untame Your Entrepreneurial Spirit!

Big Sky Commerce is an integrated provider of merchant credit card transaction processing services, check processing services, Internet payment gateways, related software application products and value-added services.

SBA 504 Loans offered statewide! Real estate and equipment, acquisitions, renovation, and new construction. Low, fixed-rates up to 25 years with as little as 10% down.