PUD commission discusses broadband communications

EPHRATA — The Grant County Public Utility District commission started a dialog regarding future broadband technology possibilities for the county.

The discussion, during their regular Monday meeting, was the first of several planned to lay out options for future commission action.

The commission dropped the PUD's existing telecommunications "stand pat" policy in January, directing the general manager to investigate available fiber optic technologies and financial options for expansion of the PUD's wholesale fiber optic system.

J.R. Simmons, an independent contractor from COMgroup Incorporated, walked the commission through different broadband network architectures, including fiber optic networks, wireless networks and hybrid networks.

During the investigation, the commission and PUD staff members are considering other non-PUD expertise to educate themselves regarding technical options for the utility.

No decisions regarding build out were made at the meeting. Future presentations with additional independent telecommunications experts are being scheduled for May and June.