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Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet) announced it has received a second federal grant to extend high-speed broadband service to nearly every unserved area of the state.
“This broadband initiative will create immediate jobs, attract economic investment to rural areas, and provide reliable, high-speed internet access to schools, libraries, emergency responders, hospitals, government agencies, businesses and individuals,” said Greg Marney, Chief Executive Officer of NoaNet.
“Imagine a rural doctor being able to instantaneously share a patient’s test results and consult with an expert at any major medical center in the world. It’s a big deal for rural Washington.”
The $185 million program received a second federal broadband technology opportunity program grant today of $54 million that all told will construct more than 1,300 miles of new fiber capable of delivering enhanced, affordable broadband service to 55 economically depressed communities, passing 538,559 households and 103,230 businesses across 25 of Washington’s 39 counties.
“This is a game-changer for many communities,” Marney said. “It just like when electricity was finally extended to rural communities in the 1930s and 1940s. Broadband will help save lives, reduce government costs, help educate young people, and create business opportunities.”
Remote areas often have only the most rudimentary capabilities needed to share critical information among fire, police, hospitals and first responders.
Additionally, businesses are reluctant to relocate or expand in areas that are not served by broadband connectivity.
Ron Gadeberg, Power Resouce / Telecom Manager for the Okanogan County PUD said, “The NoaNet project will provide huge benefits to Okanogan County by enabling us to create a fiber ring through eastern Washington.” He said, “The ring means redundancy which is vital to traffic on our system. The ring will include connections into Spokane and better bandwidth rates for Okanogan County internet customers.”
John P Andrist, President of NCI Datacom said, "The announcement of Noanet's Grant award is good news for many of the communities of North Central Washington who will be benefit from better access to
high-speed internet and other fiber based data services.” Andrist said, “We are looking forward to working with Noanet to expand services in these areas."
NCI Datacom provides telecommunications service throughout North Central Washington and is a customer of Noanet.
The new broadband service will make life-saving enhanced 911 services available to virtually every inhabited location in the State. The ability to transfer real-time data over wireless networks will allow EMTs to communicate with hospital physicians en route from injury sites and dramatically improve response times when receiving medical treatment in the “golden hour” after injury improves chances of survival by 90 percent.
The new broadband infrastructure will create a seamless network reaching more than 170 communities and 2,000 schools, hospitals, emergency responders, libraries, colleges and universities.
© Copyright 2006 by North Cascades Broadcasting, Inc
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