about Oct 2021 · Related development

Council backs an ARPA-funded fixed-wireless broadband access plan

KFDA reported the council gave $6 million in American Rescue Plan money to a City broadband plan for low-connectivity areas and low-income families, using radio transmitters on water towers to reach homes within three miles, after a pilot on the police department building. The City's allocation table lists $5,900,000 for citywide broadband.^[1]^[2]

Rich Gagnon

What the sources say

⚠ Sources differ
Sources give different amounts for the October 2021 broadband allocation.
Reported value 1[1][3]
Allocation
$6,000,000
KFDA headline (October 2021) and KFDA June 2022 report: $6 million from the American Rescue Plan.
Reported value 2[2]
Allocation
$5,900,000
City ARPA page: first-half allocation for citywide broadband internet access.
✓ Verified
Rich Gagnon, Chief Information Officer: The 2021 plan called for radio transmitters on water towers reaching homes within a three-mile radius, after radios were installed on the police department building as a proof of concept; CIO Rich Gagnon said it met the program's requirement of 100 Mbps both ways and 'greatly reduces the costs for broadband speeds.'^[1]