Local News Comments

This is in part a misappropriation of funds. This mony was earmarked to extend broadband to outlying areas that don't have it, not to upgrade existing systems.

Don't bother writing your reps tho. I did 6 months ago and recieved 2 meaningless replies and 1 "I'll look into it". Last I heard but that was just before the June election so he's probably still busy. I don't blame yo Mr G but I still don't have DSL.

Why do you call it an upgrade? Of what existing system? Part of the project description is "a 1,371-mile fiber backbone network through 18 Central Valley counties"-- that helps get broadband nearer to us, but I know it won't light up my house. Most of Tuolumne County would probably benefit most from the WiMax that they intend to deploy down south.

This project has nothing to do with extending DSL, now called U-verse or Comcast Cable Internet. Neither at&t nor Comcast have to extend their service as they wrote the rules and don't have to provide service unless they get a quick return on investment. This projcet is like others that only served Governmet, hospitals, and schools, but MUST also be offered to local ISPs (Internet Service Providers). Ideally, ISPs should use the reduced cost of connecting to this backbone to enable them to expand their service. This would primarily be Wireless Internet Providers.

It's very upsetting.
Those of us w/o cable or DSL have little choice. I'm paying $100 a month for line-of-sight and wouldn't dare download a movie or spend more than 2 minutes on You-Tube for fear or over use charges.
Glad other people's service is being upgraded.

What exactly is this investment for? Comcast extended service to a lot of these areas already. Can you provide a map of who benefits?

@VoiceOfReason - government agencies and Columbia College will benefit.

...the whole state benefits,connects schools,hospitals...Government centers...this isnt about individual people benefit folks...you want to be mad about that Contact Comcast,AT&T,etc.....

...Mixed feelings on this one....it is good everyone gets the best connection and service possible but why in the world should the gubment(our tax money) pay for it. Whatever ISP that wants to serve the area should make the investment. But then again, maybe they cannot do it themselves due to the tangle of gubment red tape for a project like this.......so once again, the gubment is making itself necessary.

I like how they've destroyed Morning Star Dr and Sawmill Flat Rd...

I believe that some people need to understand how much it costs to bring cabled (wired) internet access to a home. It is all about how many homes are passed per cable mile and the penetration rate. Ever wonder why you only really see cable in towns and suburbs (with some notable exceptions)? Look at any number of our roads here in Tuolumne county and if you are passing 10 and 20 acre parcels, it's likely you will not see cable or dsl there. There is no rate of return on stringing up all of that cable. Wireless and satellite are the only real option. If people don't like those facts, it's time to move closer to the city. 4G/LTE may also be another option, but again in Tuolumne County it will take a miracle to build a tower for the service.