Progress being made to close digital divide in Manistee, Michigan

The digital divide is narrowing in Manistee County, Michigan, according to internet provider Spectrum — a division of Charter Communications. Spectrum is in the process of expanding its services in rural parts of the state through a combination of public-private partnerships and internal investment. Roughly $10 million is being invested in Manistee County to bring unserved homes and businesses up to speed. Funding is made possible through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), an initiative of the Federal Communications Commission, along with an additional $8.2 million investment by Charter Spectrum. These funds are being used to add internet service to areas of Brown, Norman, and Springdale townships, and to improve access in places like Arcadia, Bear Lake, Manistee, Onekama, Pleasanton, and Stronach. The RDOF awarded around $363 million in 2021 to 13 companies, including Charter. This is estimated to impact 249,263 addresses in Michigan, of which 1,356 are located in Manistee County. As part of the agreement, carriers must provide service of at least 25 Megabits per second downstream and 3 Mbps upstream, as well as voice-over Internet Protocol compatibility. Providers like Spectrum are also required to provide annual reports and build-out milestone certifications to the FCC.