Minnesota’s Broadband Expansion Faces New ‘Roadblock’

Minnesota’s push to bring high-speed internet to every corner of the state could hit a roadblock. A new state law requires broadband technicians to complete 40 hours of training and pass a state-approved exam no later than June 30, 2025. Some telecommunications leaders warn the mandate could stall expansion projects, especially in rural communities, just as Minnesota prepares to receive an historic $652 million in federal broadband funding. The law “does nothing to improve safety or efficiency,” argued Melissa Wolf, executive director of the Minnesota Cable Communications Association, and Brent Christensen, president and CEO of the Minnesota Telecom Alliance. “The state must not disqualify thousands of experienced broadband installers from doing the work of connecting homes with broadband,” they wrote. “If the law stays as is, thousands of homes and businesses—especially in rural and underserved areas–will remain disconnected.”