Public Service Commission Chairman Bill Gallagher reminds Montanans about the opportunity to complete a short survey and help identify areas without high-speed internet.
Since launching the effort earlier this month, the PSC has received more than 200 completed surveys from across the state. Residents of the Cascade, Helena, Troy and Yaak areas have submitted the lion’s share of responses, with 71 surveys returned to date.
The PSC is preparing to recommend future broadband deployment projects in Montana and Chairman Gallagher said survey responses will help identify pockets of unserved customers.
“We’ve had an impressive response and thank everyone who took the time to complete a survey,” Gallagher said. “If you haven’t yet completed the PSC’s broadband survey, we hope to hear from you soon.”
The survey is available at the PSC offices in Helena, by mail or online at http://psc.mt.gov/survey/Broadband/. The Commission will study the survey results before meeting with telecommunications providers. Commissioners said extending broadband to schools and other community anchor institutions with little or no access to high-speed internet is a priority.
The PSC’s five Commissioners voted unanimously March 12 to direct staff to identify areas with inadequate internet service. The Commission further instructed staff to begin discussions with CenturyLink and other carriers if necessary, about extending broadband to unserved areas as part of five-year build-out plans.
Commissioners said they have a responsibility to provide direction for future broadband projects in the state and said the PSC survey is an opportunity for all Montanans to weigh in.
The Commission asks that surveys be returned by May 1. Surveys completed online are automatically submitted to the agency.
The survey is available by following the link at the PSC homepage, http://www.psc.mt.gov, or at the agency’s offices, 1701 Prospect Ave., in Helena. To request a copy of the survey by mail, contact the PSC at 406-444-6199 or email [email protected].
For more information, visit psc.mt.gov or contact PSC Communications/Research Director Justin Post at 406-444-6171. Follow the PSC at Twitter.com/@MT_PSC or visit Facebook.com/MontanaPSC.
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