This article provides insight into a 2020 law allowing electric co-ops in Virginia to hang fiber in existing electric easements, including those outside their service area. The law, experts say, will make it easier to facilitate broadband deployment projects in rural, unserved parts of the state.

A video of a panel discussion that focused on broadband planning in Urbana, Illinois. The event featured experts in local telecommunications and public broadband discussing the benefits and challenges of various local broadband strategies.

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This blog dissects the section of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that allocates $1 billion for middle mile infrastructure. In addition to providing an overview of the program, the piece recommends bringing the energy sector—utilities, electric cooperatives, and oil and gas companies—as partners on middle mile projects.

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A paper that looks at the potential benefits of deploying broadband in rural areas of Indiana served by electric cooperatives. While the report sees broadband as an attractive investment for the regions, the study raises questions about whether the anticipated revenue would be able to cover the total system costs.

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This study analyzes a plan to bring broadband to a multi-county area of Indiana served by the Tipmont Rural Electric Cooperative. It examines the capital and operating expenses involved with deployment, the costs to the residents and the expected take-rates, and the benefits of broadband to the region.

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This article from January 2019 describes how several states have changed their laws to now allow electric co-ops to offer broadband. The new legislation occurred in Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, and Oklahoma.

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This report from September 2018 explains how millions of Americans in rural areas served by electric co-ops lack adequate broadband. It notes the market conditions that have prevented private carriers from investing in those communities and offers strategies for how electric co-ops can be part of the solution.

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This article explains the partnership between the Yakutat community and the Cordova Telecom Cooperative to extend fiber-to-the-home service to the village. It touches on the project's impetus, sources of funding, and applications in the community.

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