Baldwin Telecom bringing fiber-optic network to Wisconsin town

Federal stimulus money is making it easier for Troy, Wisconsin to install a new fiber optic network.

By Max Burkhalter
January 28, 2011
As part of a local broadband initiative, Baldwin Telecom will be installing a new fiber optic network in Troy, Wisconsin. The $9 million project comes after years of research and is primarily funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Hudson Star Observer reports.

Larry Knegendorf, manager at Baldwin Telecom, told the news source the new fiber optic installation is an important step to update Troy's infrastructure to meet the growing technological needs of the 21st century.

The construction is set to begin in May. By October, the residents of Troy could be leveraging broadband internet resources. To start, the construction firm will plow 36-inch lines along roads, digging strips 12 to 24 inches deep and just half an inch wide. As a result, the project will have a minimal impact on the daily lives of residents while still bringing the project to fruition quickly.

"Troy residents have a one-time opportunity to have fiberoptic cabling brought to their home at a much reduced cost. The cost of bringing the cable up to every home is part of the federal stimulus grant awarded to BTI and the town. If residents decide to wait, there will be utility fees and trenching costs that must be paid later," Ray Knapp, Troy's town chairman, told the Hudson Star Observer.

Knapp also told the news source the new fiber optic network is an exciting opportunity for the town and its residents. On behalf of the town board, he urged citizens to take full advantage of the opportunity to deploy broadband in their homes and businesses.

The federal stimulus money behind the new fiber optic installation is a part of why Knapp is encouraging residents to install the broadband network. The owners of any property is being given the choice to allow or disallow fiber optic installation on their land. However, the federal funding makes the construction free for residents. If citizens change their mind in coming years, they will have to pay for the installation.

According to a recent report from the Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, Halifax Community College recently reached an agreement with a Research Triangle Park non profit organization. The contract will give the college a direct connection to a fiber optic network.

Jerry Thompson, information systems manager at Halifax Community College, told the news source the new fiber optic installation will allow the institution to leverage more bandwidth in response to growing enrollment and expand its virtual education programs.

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