Dakota County, which lags behind the rest of the metro area in broadband Internet access, is expanding its fiber network and trying to partner with cities to keep up with the growing demand for high-speed Internet.
"We're falling quite far behind a lot of the other counties," said David Asp, a county network collaboration engineer, during a County Board meeting where officials discussed plans to expand the fiber network.
Only 64 percent of homes in Dakota County have broadband Internet access, not counting mobile service. Other homes rely primarily on dial-up, satellite or wireless Internet. That is far less than the six other metro counties, where, on average, 96 percent of homes are reached by broadband, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
A lack of broadband access via fiber, cable or DSL service, could hurt the local economy, Deputy County Manager Matt Smith said.
"As we look at our ability to grow and attract businesses and residents in Dakota County, we're seeing broadband can be an important advantage," Smith said.
Fiber optic lines provide faster, more cost efficient and reliable Internet, said Craig Ebeling, a consultant for the Dakota County Community Development Agency. And if local governments work together to install them they could save money.
County officials are meeting with staff from local cities to come up with what they jokingly call "the mother of all joint powers agreements" that would guide growth of the fiber-optic network across the county.
It will likely take most of this year to come up with an agreement because cities' fiber networks vary, Smith said. Some places have far more fiber than others. Some cities lease fiber, others own it. In the southern, rural part of the county there are major holes in coverage.
