Montana Governor criticized for backing single firm on $70M Internet stimulus project

Gov. Brian Schweitzer's recommendation that one firm get $70 million in federal stimulus funds to expand high-speed Internet service is being blasted by Montana telephone companies and regulators, who say the project won't extend new service to under-served areas. They also say the recommendation to fund construction of a fiber-optic network by Bresnan Communications, a cable Internet and TV firm, is based on false information. Critics said the Bresnan plan allegedly fills gaps on high-speed Internet service, but in reality just duplicates long-distance fiber-optic lines that already exist. It does not increase critical "last-mile" high-speed lines to homes and businesses, they said. "From our point of view, if Bresnan or anyone else wants to provide broadband connectivity to those areas that are unserved or under-served, great," said Pat Hogan, director of sales and engineering for 360networks, which has 1,800 miles of fiber-optic line in Montana. "But don't take taxpayer money to build a competing network that essentially duplicates what's there today." Yet officials from Bresnan and Montana's Indian tribes, which will benefit from the project, disagreed.