BOISE IDAHO: The Idaho Cable Broadband Association (ICBA) today announced the results of a study evaluating the state of broadband deployment in Idaho. The study was conducted by Denver based CableLabs, a research and development lab for the cable industry.
CableLabs’ Idaho Fixed Broadband Report was based on 2017 year-end data filed by Idaho internet service providers (ISPs) with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The report finds that download speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) or higher were available to 81% of Idaho’s population, and gigabit broadband service was available to 65% of Idaho residents. The cable industry continues its role-out of Gig services and even more communities have Gig high-speed internet available since the data reporting period. The report also finds that deployment of broadband services in Idaho “compares well to that of other states in the Intermountain West.”
“The deployment of gigabit broadband in Idaho is representative of the cable industry’s commitment to deliver broadband performance well ahead of consumer demand,” said Ron Williams, Executive Director of the ICBA. As noted by Maury Lee, ICBA President and General Manager of Sparklight, Pocatello/Idaho Falls, formerly Cable One, “The Idaho Fixed Broadband Report places Idaho ahead of surrounding states Nevada, Wyoming, and Montana in deployment of very high-speed broadband, and competitive with Utah.”
The CableLabs report also ranks all 44 Idaho counties on the availability of fixed wireline broadband of 25 Mbps, with Bonner, Kootenai, Ada, Boundary, Canyon, Bannock. and Bonneville Counties all scoring above 90%, but with Benewah, Lewis, Boise, Idaho, Clearwater, and Camas Counties all coming in below 25%.
“The CableLabs report identifies a digital divide on a county-by-county basis in Idaho,” said Cheryl Goettsche, Sparklight General Manager from Nampa. “It demonstrates the problem that certain rural areas of the state are simply very difficult to reach with today’s technology. This is a problem that we must work together to resolve.”
“Providing broadband service to smaller, rural communities has always been a priority for Charter, especially in north Idaho,” said Danielle Wade, Charter’s Area Vice President. “We are constantly evaluating opportunities to extend our network to deliver broadband to more homes.” ICBA member companies Sparklight, Cox, and Charter are all participating in the Idaho Department of Commerce Broadband Task Force, with Guy Cherp from Cox chairing the task force’s broadband mapping committee. “Moving beyond the current census block data to more granular information will provide better broadband mapping tools allowing all ISPs to better identify where broadband service is not available and then drive towards solutions to get those homes and businesses served,” said Mr. Cherp.
For additional information, please contact Ron Williams at (208) 344-6633.