In brief: Pend Oreille County to get broadband
Pend Oreille County residents can check out a new, fast broadband fiber service in a series of demonstrations this week in Newport.
The “community broadband fest” will be held today through Saturday at Community Network System, a service of the Pend Oreille Public Utility District. The showroom is at 110 W. Pine St.
Three retail service providers have signed on to provide Internet service: Concept Communication Corp., iFiber Communications and Pend Oreille Valley Networks.
The PUD this year is finishing a $34 million expansion of its fiber network to reach about 5,000 homes and businesses. Until now, the connections have been available to school districts, libraries, government offices, the Newport hospital and some major industries in the county.
The demonstrations will be 4-7 p.m. today, Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.