May 01, 2012 — Contractors from six telecom construction companies received details earlier today to bid on two broadband Internet expansion projects in New York. TDS Telecommunications Corp. (TDS®) hosted the pre-bid meeting to outline the projects. Bids are due to TDS by May 17, 2012.
Once complete, nearly 1,350 customers in New York will have access to a high-speed Internet connection. This includes
- TDS’ Deposit Telephone Company {areas near Deposit, Windsor, and Harpursville}
- TDS’ Port Byron Telephone Company {areas are north and south of Savannah}
Click on company name above for map detailing areas where high-speed Internet services will be expanded.}
TDS has received funding, in part, for 44 projects from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act via the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS). In total, TDS is receiving funding from the RUS that will lead to 27,000 more households gaining access to broadband Internet services by the end of 2013.
Today, TDS offers Internet service to more than 93 percent of their customers nationwide. The remaining seven percent live in mostly rural areas where distance and topography issues push the limits of technology. According to TDS, these issues make it very difficult to develop a solid business case to expand broadband services. The ARRA funds make it possible for companies, like TDS, to expand their networks and deliver services to people currently without access to a reliable high-speed Internet connection.
“The pre-bid meeting is a critical piece to getting this network built,” says Larry Boehm, director of Network Implementation and Optimization for TDS. “We outlined the project and the timelines. Now, contractors have a chance to submit their bid and demonstrate they can meet the project expectations on deadline. We’re looking to hire the firms quickly so construction can get underway this spring. Our customers are ready and waiting for access to high-speed Internet service.”
