Broadband Update: Comcast Connects Customers in KP North

Early in March, a plan to bring high-speed internet to one of the broadband deserts on the Key Peninsula was completed. The project, a public-private partnership between Comcast and Pierce County, brought fiber-optic cable to 526 homes and businesses on the north end of the KP. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allocated $3.75 million of the $5 million needed for the project.

“The overall build connects to our existing infrastructure through Key Center and Purdy,” said Jack Follman, Comcast Pacific Northwest Region external communications manager. “But this is currently an underserved community, so all construction within the build was new, and we leveraged both aerial and underground work.”

A second ARPA-funded project will bring fiber-optic service to Herron Island. The county and Astound Broadband finalized a partnership last September.

The island’s year-round population is about 120, with roughly twice as many vacation homes.

Microwave technology will be used to get the signal from the mainland to the island. “This is our first foray across water, but it is the latest application of a tool we are already comfortable with,” said Jared Sonne, Astound Broadband West Region senior vice president and general manager. Permitting for the towers that will support the point-to-point 10 gigabits per second microwave transmission should be finalized by early April, according to Astound Broadband Media Contact Mark Peterson.

Astound has been working with Peninsula Light Co. to get to the make-ready state, Peterson said. “Before Astound starts construction, the local team will also meet with members of the Herron Island community to review the aerial fiber construction elements and minimize any impact to the community.” Work must be completed by the end of 2026.

Both projects are part of a multipronged effort to close the broadband divide in Pierce County. The work started with an analysis in 2018, followed by development of a strategic plan in 2020, and has continued with ongoing planning through Planning and Public Works. (“More High-Speed Internet Comes to the Key Peninsula, But Only for Some on the North End” November 2022.)

While these new projects show progress, good internet access remains out of reach for many, particularly on the south end of the KP where CenturyLink remains the primary provider.

Low population density, winding private roads and driveways, trees and irregular terrain are all barriers for service providers. Astound explored bringing internet services to Herron Island, but it took the financial incentive program through ARPA to make it feasible.

The county created an incentive program for providers that included expedited permit review; waived permit fees; added incentives to provide flexibility in broadband system design, permitting and regulatory requirements; and provided reimbursement in connection costs of up to 50% of actual costs, not to exceed $3,000. There has been no interest in the program.

Pierce County Planning and Public Works continues to seek opportunities to reach the remaining underserved areas on the KP. “We have two avenues we are planning for,” said Public Information Officer Jenny Burger. “First, we requested $5 million in Congressional Project Funding through (then) Congressman Kilmer’s office specifically to expand infrastructure in the Key Peninsula. We are still in consideration for this funding but will not know until mid-2025 if we are selected.”

The department also plans to submit grant proposals to the Washington State Broadband Office Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. The state Department of Commerce received $16 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to continue efforts to improve digital equity throughout Washington, which will be distributed through the BEAD program.

Astound has submitted a request for BEAD funding that could serve part of south Key Peninsula, and the county has signed a letter of support, Burger said.

The county has contracted with CBG Communications to assist in the grant process. “We have begun working with them to review and make recommendations for Pierce County’s broadband needs and potential grant funding opportunities including BEAD,” Burger said. “However, with the changes happening at the federal level, we are waiting for more information about how the BEAD program may be affected.”