Construction has started to expand and improve broadband to nearly 1,700 locations in the Oakman and Walker County area. TDS Telecom (TDS®) began work in March. Work is expected to be completed by mid-year, with improvements ready by year-end 2018.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated an average of $3.8 million a year for the next 10 years to reach residents in some of the hardest to serve areas in Alabama. The funding will also be used to maintain a voice and broadband network as well as building out to these locations. The FCC’s Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) will provide funding to 1,700 locations in west central Walker County with hundreds of customers to receive benefits from the network upgrade work.
Alabama residents can visit the TDS website (https://tdstelecom.com/networkupgrades.html) to find out how this federal program may impact their location.
Depending on location, most TDS customers in eligible rural areas will receive guaranteed broadband speeds of 25Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload (25/3). Under the agreement with the FCC, the remaining customers will receive broadband service at lower speeds of 10/1 and 4/1Mbps. “We are excited to start work on this project to move faster connections to customers in the Oakman and Walker County area,” said James Meade, manager – State Government Affairs at TDS.
In January, TDS announced it elected to receive approximately $75.1 million a year to increase broadband access in 25 states from the FCC’s A-CAM, under the Connect America Fund (CAF) program. TDS will leverage the funds over the next 10 years to support the buildout of rural broadband networks to nearly 160,000 locations across the country.
TDS has been doing business in Alabama since 1974 and owns three telephone companies in the state. TDS employs about 25 people in Alabama.
Media contact: Cheryl McCollum, Associate Manager of Public Relations / 608-664-2388 / cheryl.mccollum@tdstelecom.com
Hi. I read your article on the Walker County project. My question is will this upgrade any of the broadband or is it just extending it to more people?
The upgrade is for our current network of customers. If you e-mail me your address, I can look it up to see if your address is part of the upgrade. Thank you, Cheryl
Hi Cheryl. My address is 662 Twin Valley Road Nauvoo, Al. 35578 When I type my address in the website it says nothing is available but I previously had DSL internet with you guys for about 5 years. 08-13. Thanks Will.
While the map shows your address as borderline outside the project area, there are a few times that addresses and our maps do not mesh. So in reality, you will receive the benefits of the network upgrade. Construction in your area is set to start in three years. When the project is complete you should have 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload. Hope this helps. Cheryl
Ok well i appreciate the info thanks.