The 14-county regional high-speed internet project is set to see its first connection in a matter of weeks, according to energy provider Kinergy.
Kenergy, which is leading the project with rural internet provider Conexon, said workers are now installing the fiber.
“We are replacing poles for ground clearance in preparation for fiber extensions, cleaning ends and brush so fiber can run along the path of our power line, installing communication huts, setting up equipment and fiber cables,” said Leslie Barr, of Kenergy PR. specialized. “The first member will be delivered in two weeks.”
Barr said she couldn’t say exactly where the first contact was — Kenergy and Conexon are still finalizing details with their first customers — but she said workers are installing fiber along Interstate 140 in McLean County. Kenergy also said on its Facebook page on Tuesday that the first fiber hut — containing fiber optic equipment — has been installed in Guffie.
Kenergy and Conexon plan to provide broadband access to all approximately 49,000 Kenergy members within the next four years. To do this, they will build about 7,200 miles of fiber optic cable and provide broadband in 14 counties, including Daviess, Hancock, McLean, Muhlenberg, and Ohio.
The long-awaited broadband project entails Conexon, an internet provider specializing in rural areas, using Kenergy’s infrastructure to deliver broadband to every home to which Kenergy supplies power.
Kenergy initially submitted an application last September with the state Public Service Commission to build about 7,200 miles of fiber-optic cable to provide broadband in 14 counties, including Davis, Hancock, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio.
However, the application was opposed by the Kentucky Cable and Broadband Association (KBCA) – a group of companies that includes Armstrong, Comcast and Charter Communications. The KBCA did not agree that its members should face “pricepayer-supported competition” from non-profit electrical co-operatives such as Kenergy and sought to have the PSC limit the project to unserved and disadvantaged areas.
Kyenergy won the dispute in August and started its project the same month.
Connexion partner Jonathan Chambers promised his company would work double time to make up for the delays.
“We expect to build all of this out and do it so that every member of the electric membership gets service over the next three to four years, because eight to 10 years is too long to wait,” Chambers said in September.
Daviess County has set aside $10 million for the project — money it received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) — but won’t start spending that money until Kenergy and Conexon start connecting county residents.
Originally posted 2022-12-14 13:51:50.