Yesterday morning, our very own Jeff England and U.S. Telecom’s Brandon Heiner had the privilege to exercise their First Amendment rights and meet with Idaho Governor Brad Little. The intent was simple. They wanted to discuss what broadband infrastructure is best for Idaho to invest in. With discussion surrounding federal and state broadband funding, we jumped at this opportunity to speak up and promote what’s best for Idahoans. Fiber Broadband.
Fiber is the best option for long-term stability. While the convenience and upfront cost of alternatives have their place, the only investment that will provide a stable service and save money in the long-term is fiber. England and Heiner were able to meet with Gov. Little and share this message.
Most existing broadband is run on copper cabling. This is an aging technology that poses environmental and safety hazards which can be avoided by switching to fiber. Copper is limited and requires larger amounts of energy to function. In our rural communities, protecting our environment is key. A healthy environment means better health for our farmlands, cattle, and other wildlife.
When it comes to alternatives, satellite internet is a fantastic choice for those with a mobile lifestyle. However, what satellite has in range and utility becomes a detriment to its overall speed and reliability. For established homes and communities, it can become frustrating to have a service that changes with the weather. Idaho’s weather patterns can make for a poor satellite experience long-term. Satellite also presents a waste and upkeep challenge when implemented on a large scale. According to the FCC; Even well-established brands like Starlink will see nearly 500 satellites burn up in the atmosphere every 6 months. This contributes to higher maintenance costs and potentially rare hazards as satellite debris passes through the atmosphere.
Fiber hooked directly to your home leaves little margin for service interruptions and won’t require expensive and constant maintenance. It is a 30-year investment that is built to last. Other cheaper technologies have a shorter build timeline but won’t last as long. You may have to re-grow some grass in your yard after the installation, but the speed, reliability, economic and environmental impact will be well worth it.
As we prepare to celebrate the historic founding of our nation tomorrow, we are humbled by our ability to be so up-front and honest with ourselves, our customers and our political leaders. The opportunity to speak with Governor Little is an amazing privilege not afforded in all parts of the world. Having a voice to change life for the better is exactly why the United States came into being. We are looking forward to the outcome of this meeting and want to wish everyone a Happy Independance Day from Silver Star.