Bascom Communications completes phase 1 of broadband expansion

BASCOM — Bascom Communications has completed the first phase of construction on its high-speed fiber-optic broadband expansion project, providing more than 500 new connections to residents in the townships of Big Springs, Clinton, Eden, Loudon, Pleasant, Scipio and Seneca. The cooperative reported Wednesday that the project was completed in 20 months, well ahead of the 10-year timeline requested by the Federal Communication Commission's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, which provided $364,847 in funding. The expansion started in January 2022. The financial support provided funding for the construction of services to 412 locations designated by the FCC as unserved. Bascom also said it was able to leverage the extensions from existing infrastructure to expand fiber services to additional rural residences and businesses for a total of about 547. To check if a specific address is within the expanded coverage area and to learn more about the services available, visit www.bascomcommunications.com and click on "Fiber Internet." Residents in the newly-developed locations can join the Bascom Communications cooperative as members, choosing local fiber services, including symmetrical gigabit-speed internet, fiber television, phone and others. Also, the co-op said members will be able to bundle their internet with fiber TV and phone services for cost savings. As a result of the new section of fiber installation, Bascom said new possibilities for additional expansion are now on the horizon. "Bascom Communications is a part of this community," said Nate Brickner, general manager and CEO of Bascom Communications. "We listen to the wants and needs of the people and businesses. Being involved, we see the current demand for connectivity and support. I commend our team, and all involved in this project, on how quickly this was completed to help meet those needs. "No one should be left without access to high-speed internet services in Seneca County," Brickner said. "We have invested approximately $11 million in our fiber network since 2003. While we diligently work to bridge the digital divide, we recognize the magnitude of the gap that still exists. We are working with, and identifying, other like-minded partners that share our desire to enhance and expand our county's digital landscape." The FCC RDOF program is a $20 billion, 10-year initiative aimed at eliminating the digital divide across the United States by enabling service providers to deliver faster broadband speeds to rural and underserved regions. The release said Bascom Communications was among 180 entities awarded funding, and it received the largest amount among the four companies awarded funds in Seneca County. Bascom is the sole locally-owned and operated telecommunications cooperative in the county.