4 days ago
Alabama officials demand stricter reporting on $400M broadband expansion progress
Mediacom technicians work on servicing existing broadband infrastructure Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, in Silverhill, Ala. ADECA is overseeing over $400 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to expand Alabama's broadband infrastructure by 2026. (Mike Kittrell)
State officials on Tuesday asked internet service providers tasked with building Alabama's broadband network to more strictly adhere to reporting requirements.
During a series of project updates at the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority meeting in Montgomery, representatives from nearly two dozen companies provided details about their progress on state-funded internet projects. While most reported being on or ahead of schedule, others were cautioned for lagging reports and a lack of detailed progress.
'I feel like we are having good progress with some, and some that may not understand the system as to what we are asking for,' Kenneth Boswell, director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), said in a firm tone. 'We're happy to provide technical assistance, but we're not going to do it for you.'
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
ADECA oversees more than $400 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with a significant portion of this funding aimed at building 'middle-mile' infrastructure, which provides the link from internet providers to local networks. An initial project, funded up to $85 million in 2022, is supposed to create a 3,000-mile fiber network across the state. A second, $245 million middle-mile effort will add another 4,287 miles of fiber infrastructure to specifically connect nearly 800 institutions like schools, hospitals and government facilities.
ADECA is also managing a 'last-mile' broadband program that brings service directly to consumers, using up to $191.89 million in ARPA funds. The projects are expected to be completed by February 2026, though extensions are available until the federal spending deadline of December 2026.
During the presentations, several companies that claimed they had progressed further than the data presented were asked to provide up-to-date information and schedule a meeting with the ADECA within 15 days to discuss their progress.
'What we would like to see at the next field meeting is this dashboard filled up to reflect what you're sharing with us verbally,' Boswell said to AT&T representatives, saying it's unfair to the other companies submitting the requested data.
Cleo Washington, vice president of external affairs for AT&T Alabama, said that despite appearances on the dashboard, work was well underway, saying the planning phase for several projects would be completed by late summer and early fall.
'We are already constructing fiber in those areas, so we are building out to get to these areas,' Washington said. Boswell scheduled a follow-up meeting with the company within 15 days.
Terry Metze, CEO of Alabama Fiber Network, said that its middle-mile network is '98% complete,' with only a single permit remaining.
'Our contractors are working heavily. This month, we had a couple of weeks of really heavy rain, kind of slowed this down a little bit, but we're back on track, and everything's moving forward right now,' Metze said.
Providers pointed to several challenges affecting progress on specific projects. Several, including Coosa Valley Technologies and Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, said they had delays in securing permits. Weather, including a couple of weeks of heavy rain, was also a factor.
The meeting concluded with Boswell saying that 'time is ticking' and asking companies to be more diligent about ensuring projects meet the funding deadline.
'Sounds like we got a lot of time left, but we really don't. We don't know what kind of obstacle that you may run into,' Boswell said.
SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
