BEDFORD – The Lawrence County Commissioners voted Tuesday to pay AT&T to bring broadband service to the northwest portion of Lawrence County.
The commissioners have been consulting with Morley Corporation on possible routes to expand broadband services throughout the county. The company specializes in providing architecture, surveying, and engineering services. It also works in the broadband industry.
Increasing broadband access has been a key topic of conversation over the last several months.
Any American Rescue Plan Act funds the county decides to allocate toward broadband projects must be spent by Dec. 31, 2024. However, the project would have an extended deadline of Dec. 31, 2026.
AT&T will provide service to the county at a cost of $1.1 million dollars to bring broadband to 2,668 customers. The service will be paid out of American Rescue Plan Act funds.
In AT&T’s original proposal, their pricing to customers is as follows:
- 300 Mb – $55/mo
- 500 Mb – $65/mo
- 1 GB – $80/mo
- 2 GB – $110/mo
- 5 GB – $180/mo
They also will provide a $30-a-month discount for those that are considered low-income.
