SawNet proposes Skamania Broadband Infrastructure Project for NTIA Funding

August 20, 2009
Stevenson, Washington

On August 20, 2009, SawNet submitted a Broadband Infrastructure Project to the NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) proposing a project that would provide broadband infrastructure to Stevenson, North Bonneville, and Cascade Locks and the Wind River Nursery.  This project would expand upon the existing SawNet fiber network in Stevenson with 10 Gigabit connections to Portland, where SawNet connects to multiple Internet backbones.

Brian Adams and Cassidy Patnoe of SawNet prepared all of the information obtained from various local and federal agencies and designed a network to connect the unserved areas in Skamania and Klickitat Counties.  This was engineered to meet the goals of bringing broadband to the four areas that were determined to be "unserved" in Klickitat County and six "unserved" or "underserved" areas in Skamania County.

Additionally, this network could be used as a redundant path for 911 services for Klickitat and Skamania Counties as it will create new fiber optic links between Goldendale, Stevenson and Cascade Locks.

As a Middle Mile network, it will achieve in providing a large capacity network to these areas where one or more providers can then deliver last mile service to residents, businesses, and government agencies.  The network would be open to other providers and SawNet encourages their participation.

SawNet thanks the Skamania EDC, Port of Skamania County, Skamania County Commissioners, Skamania County, Port of Cascade Locks, City of Cascade Locks, Washougal School District, and Skamania School District for their support of the project.

We look forward to working with these and other community members on this potential project.

For more information on this proposal and whether Broadband Internet service is in your area, email info@saw.net or call 1-888-427-4865.