TDS announces completion of two more Wisconsin-based ARRA broadband stimulus projects


TDS Telecom (TDS®) announces completion of two more American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus-funded broadband Internet projects in Wisconsin. TDS is receiving funding for 44 projects, including these two, from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) as part of the ARRA.

More than 350 residents between Prairie du Chien and Lancaster in the southwest part of Wisconsin, now have access to high-speed Internet service. In mid-January, TDS announced a portion of this project was accessible to customers. Now, it’s finished. In total, nearly 20 miles of fiber optics cabling was installed and nine cabinets (which protect the advanced network electronics) were placed in order to connect more residents and businesses to high-speed Internet service in TDS’ Grantland Telecom exchange. TDS projected the cost at about $2.2 million. The RUS grant covered 75 percent of the cost and TDS invested the remaining 25 percent (more than $550,000) to expand broadband to more businesses and residents.

In the Fox Valley, TDS’ stimulus-funded project around Stockbridge and Tisch Mills is also complete. For this project, in TDS’ Stockbridge & Sherwood Telephone Company, about 12 miles of fiber optics cabling and 10 cabinets were installed. In late January, TDS announced a portion of this project was available to customers. Now that it’s complete, more than 600 residents have gained access to high-speed Internet service in this area. TDS projected the cost at about $2.5 million. The RUS grant covered 75 percent of the cost and TDS invested the remaining 25 percent (more than $600,000) to expand broadband to more businesses and residents.

Nationwide, more than 95 percent of TDS customers already have access to high-speed Internet service. TDS is intent on providing as many remaining customers with broadband connectivity as possible. According to TDS, federal stimulus funds are helping to close the gap and deliver Internet connectivity to more than 27,000 customers.

For background information or to sign-up for services, call 888-225-5837 or visit www.tdstelecom.com/stimulus

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For more information, or a high-resolution map, contact: Cindy Tomlinson, Associate Manager-Public Relations / TDS Telecom / 608-664-4471 / cindy.tomlinson@tdstelecom.com

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom/TDS®) delivers high-speed internet, TV entertainment, and phone services to a mix of small to mid-sized urban, suburban and rural communities throughout the U.S. With 1.1 million connections, TDS’ mission is to create a better world through its communications services. Powered by fiber-optics and new industry-leading technologies, TDS delivers up to 8 Gigabit internet speeds and offers internet-protocol based TV entertainment solutions along with traditional phone services. TDS also offers businesses VoIP advanced communications solutions, dedicated internet service, and data networking services. Visit tdstelecom.com.

TDS Telecom, headquartered in Madison, Wis., employs 3,400 people and is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS]. Founded in 1969, Telephone and Data Systems provides wireless, broadband, video and voice services to approximately 6 million connections nationwide through its businesses: UScellular and TDS Telecom. Visit tdsinc.com.

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