TDS Telecommunications Corp. said today that construction is underway on its American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus project, which will bring high-speed Internet service to areas of central Wisconsin. Once complete, nearly 1,400 customers in areas around Nekoosa, New Lisbon,…
They promoted it as telecommunications modernization, but can it possibly live up to promises of job creation in the tens of thousands, and unprecedented levels of new investment in services like wireless Internet and Voice over Internet Protocol [VoIP]? The Telecommunication Modernization Act of 2011 was championed by a coalition of telecommunications firms, economic development groups, and Chambers of Commerce, and signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker, but critics call it a step backward, especially for elderly and rural landline customers.
Would bringing regulations on landline carriers more in line with wireless really bring more jobs and investment?
When Jim Sauter's position as director of commercial marketing at TDS was downsized after 15 years, he had two choices: Stay with the company in a lower-level job, or take a buyout. He chose the latter.
Several Wisconsin organizations have applied for federal stimulus money to expand rural broadband coverage, but federal rules might restrict new service.
