Wyoming Governor Matt Mead Joined the Line-Up of Speakers (Photo credit: USFWS Mountain Prairie)
By TREVOR GRAFF Star-Tribune staff writer
Gov. Matt Mead announced Tuesday the planned installation of a new fiber optics line that will run from Casper to the Colorado border.
Advanced Communications Technology, based in Sheridan, is installing the line as part of the Governor’s initiative to boost the expansion of broadband services in the state’s rural regions.
“Any time we expand broadband, it benefits people and business. ACT is one of many companies operating in Wyoming. This means more options for Wyoming people and more access points for communities from Casper to the Colorado border,” Mead said.
With the new line, ACT’s network will now service the entire state.
“We believe this fiber optic network expansion has the potential to benefit many communities and businesses across Wyoming,” said ACT General Manager, Aaron Sopko. “ACT’s network will now span the entire state, north to south and east to west, reaching many communities in between and connecting Wyoming to the rest of the world with redundant and diverse routes.”
Without the state’s assistance, the project may not have happened, Sopko said.
The expansion of broadband services often runs into obstacles concerning a company’s right to access land for installation. The governor, in cooperation with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, is working to clear right of way issues for the expansion of broadband, Sopko said.
“Wyoming used its right of way and ACT will build the line with multiple access points – this is a good example of a strong public-private partnership,” Mead said.
ACT will start installation next month and expects to have the line operational early next year.
