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Madison Looks at Broadband Options

With so much of business dependent on reliable high speed Internet, the Board of Selectmen (BOS) recently signed a Letter of Intent with Axia, a fiber optic provider, allowing the company an exclusive three-month period to investigate and possibly market broadband Internet service in Madison. A deal with Axia could bring high speed Internet options to residents and businesses and maybe spark a little price competition among providers in town.

First Selectman Tom Banisch said Axia recently approached Branford and Guilford with the same three-month stipulation, and Banisch said it is a good idea.

“What they are asking us for is a three-month period when we would not allow anybody else to approach the market, because what they want to do is establish a market in that three-month period,” he said. “If they do, we would probably end up bringing that fiber through with no cost to the town.”

Other service providers have approached the town before, but service would have come with a cost according to Banisch. In this model, Axia would set up the network at no cost to the town and residents or business owners would then have the choice to connect.

Wired broadband service in Madison is currently offered by Frontier and Comcast/Xfinity to residential customers; business clients have additional options from Lightower and CEN.

Director of Planning & Economic Development Dave Anderson said Branford has already signed the Letter of Intent and Guilford is considering it. He said by going in as a unit rather than an individual town, there is a greater chance of a network being set up.

“The service that would be delivered would be high speed Internet and you would have the ability to contract directly with Axia if you wanted to and hopefully at a lower cost than what you are paying now,” he said. “Or you can stick your current provider.”

In the three-month period, the town cannot sign any similar agreement with another service provider, but the contract does not stop another service provider from investigating establishing a network in town.

“If Comcast looked at that and said ‘Oh we better get on it and do something ourselves,’ they can start tomorrow,” said Banisch.

After the three-month period is up, Axia will report if establishing a network is possible for all, some, or none of the town. After that, the town would then help market or promote the network to help develop a sense of customer interest.

Selectman Bruce Wilson said he would be uncomfortable supporting Axia if they cannot provide service to the whole town.

“I am not going to support the town supporting a service that would be limited geographically,” he said. “This can’t strand a bunch of people in North Madison. If they want our help, this is a service they are going to have to extend to every residence and every business in town.”

Banisch said the towns needs to see if the service is even feasible in town before they start negotiating, but he said he hopes that broadband would be a boost to businesses in town.

“I think this is a good one for us because we have some people on Wall Street, especially right now, who are looking for better Internet than is available,” he said. “We think it will help attract business to town.”

The Letter of Intent with Axia for a three-month period was unanimously approved by the BOS.