Michigan broadband chief: Only ‘one shot’ for universal broadband access

As a two-peninsula state, Michigan has broadband accessibility challenges others states may not have, said Eric Frederick, chief connectivity officer at the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI). Thus, it is being careful to make the most of its Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) allocation, which is approximately $1.56 billion. “We’re taking a very measured and calculated approach to BEAD…making sure the investment that is here is going to be able to truly achieve universal availability,” Frederick said. “We’re...making sure we get it right the first time, because we only have one shot.” As for hurdles to Michigan broadband deployment, he pointed to geography—as it’s challenging to connect all locations “when we’re not one contiguous piece”—and winter weather that shortens the construction season, an issue neighboring state Minnesota also faces.