Mont. companies, PSC assail stimulus Internet idea

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Nov 2, 2009 at 12:09 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 2, 2009 at 12:09 PM MST

HELENA - Some telephone companies and the Montana Public Service Commission are criticizing a stimulus proposal that would fund a Bresnan Communications project to expand high-speed Internet service in the state.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer has urged the federal government to fully fund Bresnan's stimulus application for $70 million to build an 1,885-mile fiber-optic network that links Montana's seven Indian reservations.

Supporters of the project, including Montana's Indian tribes, say the new network eventually will provide faster, cheaper high-speed Internet service to many rural areas.

Critics of the proposal say the proposed line would duplicate long-distance fiber-optic lines that already exist. They say it does not increase critical "last-mile" high-speed lines to homes and businesses.

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