According to a California Public Utilities Commission notice, additional state funds may become available to complete the Digital 395 project in Inyo and Mono. A resolution that would provide more than $10 million in additional funds will go before the PUC September 5th.
This unique project links southern California with northern Nevada and beyond with a 583-mile fiber optic line through Inyo and Mono counties, along Highway 395. The project will give our region new and much faster internet service. The deadline for completion was to have been the end of July.
While the project is reportedly close to done, there is still some more to do to achieve complete connectivity, and apparently more money is needed. We could not reach Michael Ort of Praxis, the company overseeing the building of Digital 395.
A notice of availability signed by PUC Communications Director Ryan Dulin, says the PUC is poised to okay $10 million to complete Digital 395. The notice says the money would cover the costs of new poles or undergrounding fiber due to new requirements. The money would cover unanticipated costs involving permits related to environmental and cultural sites. The money would also cover “construction costs for the distribution backbone to connect anchor institutions, communities and other broadband providers.” Administration and overhead costs are also included.
The draft resolution for additional funds is available for public comment, and must be served on all parties by August 21. Check out www.cpuc.ca.gov for more information.
$100 million of federal and state funds were originally granted to build Digital 395. As a new project of its kind, Digital 395 faced a reported $23 million spent on bureaucratic permits and regulatory processes with as many as 47 different agencies along the route of the 583-mile fiber optic line project.
Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News - The Community's News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I remember stating this wasn’t going to be finished on its expected time (months ago), the more desirable areas will finish first, since those will offer more profit for those big companies that purchase whatever section they purchase. What I was told months ago was they will not finish, the crews that are working it, are giving anybody that asks a confidence pitch that it will be finished soon. I was told it won’t finish until companies come and buy the sections that are most desirable for them, then the final hook ups and connections will be made…. Of course nothing to take to the bank.. This is all hearsay.
Could you give me an estimation on when the fiber optic cable will be implemented?
No.
BK
i read it was all finished, from mammoth to renno in the mammoth times….
but then when i called to see when i would be add digital phone to my sudden link account,
i was told that they are not offering phone service and have know idea when and if they will….
they said i should talk to the mammoth office…. they said there was no phone number for them, and that i would have to go in person…. i went… and it was closed… it closes at 4…. i was thinking 5 or 6…
i know my internet is not faster, that i still have the same terrible picture on my tv that i have been paying for for years… and i still cant bundle my phone with the internet and tv…. even though i have been told for years “its coming soon”
does anyone know if this is done? and when i will be able to see the improvements in June Lake?
thanks
Don’t know the deadline, but most of the line is finished, with a some more connections to make. That’s what the $10 million is for.
Benett Kessler
Mo Money!
New this was coming..