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First phase of KentuckyWired project completed, includes Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky

Published by KkForward on July 1st, 2019

Gov. Matt Bevin and Congressman Hal Rogers have announced a major milestone achievement for the Commonwealth’s high-speed fiber optic network – KentuckyWired.

The first portion of the network, known as Ring 1A, is now complete and includes Louisville, Lexington and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. Additionally, a key backbone segment from Lexington to Somerset has also been completed, allowing for expansion of the network into Eastern Kentucky as the project moves into the next phase.

“We are excited today to announce a significant milestone in the Commonwealth’s progress toward statewide rural broadband connectivity,” said Bevin. “The completion of KentuckyWired’s initial phase is a major step in extending high-speed internet access into each of our 120 counties. This vital infrastructure will create powerful opportunities for Kentuckians through enhanced job creation, economic investment, education, health care, and countless other public and private sector services.”

It is estimated that 23.4 million rural Americans lack broadband internet access, and the announced completion of Ring 1A provides the foundation for the KentuckyWired network to begin expansion into Eastern and Western Kentucky. The ring includes major uplinks to the global internet in Louisville and Cincinnati as well as state facilities in Frankfort.

Congressman Rogers noted that the completed 80-mile segment between Lexington and Somerset, shows the significant progress of the KentuckyWired network and signals that broadband access will soon be available in the Eastern Kentucky region.

“This means one great thing for southern and eastern Kentucky – we are closing the digital divide,” said Congressman Rogers. “This first link to Somerset opens a brand new corridor of connectivity that includes countless opportunities for jobs, telemedicine, advancements in education, and much more. The Super I-Way, as I like to call it, drives directly into every county so providers can extend this high performing broadband interstate to more people and more businesses.”

Read the original article here