Leelanau Internet Futures Team (LIFT) Update & Progress Report
Winter activity has centered on preparations for launching construction when the snow melts, the ground thaws and temperatures are more conducive for working outdoors.
There are developments to report.
POINT BROADBAND
Point Broadband anticipates construction will begin in early April.
Earlier this month many residents in Solon Township received mail with Point Broadband’s early notice of construction plans. The message was mailed to 608 parcels to inform the property owners that construction equipment and workers will be in their neighborhoods within 60 days. The message answers questions about access to the right of way and concerns that may arise due to underground obstructions that a property owner may have installed. The message informs people about how to receive additional information about the upcoming work. Point expects to mail another 665 cards to residents of Solon and Elmwood Townships in early April.
Notice of Construction postcards will be routinely mailed to residents in advance of Point’s construction work as the company progresses northward through the county.
COUNTY WEBSITE TRACKING
The map to track broadband buildout and service availability is accessible on the Leelanau County website Broadband Coverage Project Map. It is projected the newly provided fiber network will have passed 500 homes by the end of May.
AGRI-VALLEY FIXED WIRELESS
Agri-Valley has installed partial equipment loads and is continuing to install new equipment on three county towers: Central Tower, Maple City Tower, and Omena Tower. The company is providing fixed-wireless internet service for those who reside within the towers’ signal radius.
The new technology installed on the county’s towers by Agri-Valley is a competitive alternative to other networks and may prove ideal for rural high-speed Broadband. When fully operational this wireless network should offer good to excellent coverage for much of the county and may be a viable option for some businesses, farms, and residents. Here is the link to Agri-Valley's website.
STATE BROADBAND FUNDING NEWS
Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) administers a grant program that will distribute $238 million in federal Covid relief funding later this year for Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN). The office received 154 applications prior to the March 14 deadline. The applicants requested a total of $1.3 billion to connect 380,000 homes. The requested amount far exceeds the available funds for this round of state funding but demonstrates the demand for internet service in rural Michigan. The MIHI office is expected to announce award winners in June. Charter/Spectrum and Point Broadband each filed applications to receive funding to assist with construction programs in Leelanau County.
The goal of MIHI is to make high-speed internet service available to every Michigander. The federal standard for high speed is 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.
LEELANAU TOWNSHIP TOWER
Leelanau County, Leelanau Township, and Cherryland Electric Cooperative are collaborating to plan and construct a new telecommunications tower on a high point northwest of the village of Northport. The new tower is expected to improve cellular service along the shore, remove dead zones and provide dependable service near Leelanau State Park. Lack of reliable cellular phone service has long been a concern of public safety officials worried about failed 911 emergency calls. Constructing the new tower is another telecommunications priority for 2023.
You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates about broadband providers working with Leelanau County to expand high-speed internet. If you know of someone else who would benefit from receiving our monthly updates, please ask them to email broadbandproject@leelanau.gov. We look forward to sharing more information about these activities in our next update.
Sincerely,
Patricia Soutas-Little, Chairperson
Leelanau Internet Futures Team (LIFT)
Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation