Stephanie Becken, the city\u2019s broadband manager, told WPR\u2019s \u201cWisconsin Today<\/a>\u201d that the new network has been a game-changer for Superior. Before, residents were limited to a handful of existing internet service providers in the area, and connectivity could be spotty because those companies hadn\u2019t invested in updated infrastructure.\u00a0<\/p>\n News with a little more humanity<\/p>\n WPR\u2019s \u201cWisconsin Today\u201d newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, with this system, we\u2019re able to really (welcome) as many internet service providers as the market can bear,\u201d Becken said.<\/p>\n For some households, this means parents can work, kids can do schoolwork and other family members can play games or stream movies together, all at the same time \u2014 something that was inconceivable with the older internet speeds.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we\u2019re already seeing is people who are on the network almost forgetting what it used to be like,\u201d Becken said. \u201cI\u2019ve already had people say, \u2018Oh, my gosh. It always works! I just don\u2019t think about it anymore. I don\u2019t have a spinning wheel.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n ConnectSuperior is not yet available in all neighborhoods, but Becken said the rollout has been successful so far.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve hit 10 percent of our potential customer base, which is huge,\u201d she said. \u201cThat was a (goal) number for an entire year, and we\u2019ve done that in two months. And it just keeps growing.\u201d<\/p>\n Roadblocks to high-speed internet in rural areas<\/p>\n The launch of ConnectSuperior comes in the wake of federal disinvestment in broadband projects. Earlier this year, the Trump administration canceled the Digital Equity Act<\/a>, which provided resources for seniors, veterans and low-income households to access devices, build digital skills and afford monthly internet bills. Additionally, new rules<\/a> for the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment Program have stalled efforts<\/a> to bring high-speed internet to rural areas.<\/p>\n \u201cWe thought we were going to be much further ahead in 2026-27 than I think we will be now, unfortunately,\u201d said Christopher Mitchell, director of Community Broadband Networks at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.<\/p>\n About 10 percent<\/a> of people in Wisconsin don\u2019t have home internet access, and many communities around the state struggle with low speeds and a lack of reliable connection. Now that so many day-to-day tasks are carried out online, that can create barriers to accessing vital services like online banking or even medical appointments.<\/p>\n Mitchell told \u201cWisconsin Today\u201d that bringing high-speed internet to a community can look different depending on where you are. While Superior has city-owned infrastructure with private internet service providers, the city of Reedsburg provides internet service directly to residents as an electric utility.<\/p>\n The Reedsburg model might not be feasible in all places, though. Wisconsin is one of 17 states<\/a> with laws limiting municipal broadband networks.<\/p>\n \u201cSome cities would like to pursue that without the state putting its thumb on the scale to try to limit competition,\u201d Mitchell said.<\/p>\n Tribal investment in broadband<\/p>\n![\"Four](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP24200179260595.jpg\")
Attendees hold cables during the Tribal Broadband Bootcamp in Aguanga, Calif., Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Jae C. Hong\/AP Photo<\/p>\n