Rural Vanderburgh County Indiana residents, businesses to have broadband access within two years

Residents in unincorporated areas of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, will have broadband access within two years. AT&T will begin work to provide service to an estimated 20,000 county homes and businesses now that funding has officially been approved by the Vanderburgh County Council. Vanderburgh County Commissioners signed the contract with AT&T on Nov 8 for the $39.6 million project. Bill Soards, president of AT&T Indiana, said it will be about nine months before residents start receiving information to tell them service is available in there area. A local awareness campaign will be started to keep residents updated on the progress. Once service is available, customers will be able to choose a plan. Monthly rates range from $35 to $60 depending on the speed the consumer chooses. Under the terms of the contract with AT&T, Vanderburgh County will contribute $9.9 million to the project. The money will come from the American Rescue Plan Act. The county’s payments will be made on a schedule coordinating to milestones laid out in the contract. AT&T will pay $29.7 million and will own and operate the network.