Petition drive begins to expand Metronet use to the community

Posted: Mon, Mar 9, 2015 8:29 AM

A group of a dozen Decorah residents has begun a petition drive to ask that the fiber optic cables used by the Metronet be allowed to be used by commercial businesses and residential users.

Such a change would require formation of a separate organization to handle access to the high-speed Internet network by non-governmental users.

The petition drive states, "The proposed services would directly and indirectly create or attract jobs, new businesses and young families. These benefits would be created at an affordable rate that is locally controlled.

Such a venture would promote telecommuting and strengthen area businesses. This venture would also increase bandwidth and download speeds for residential users.

The City of Decorah and Winneshiek County would also have the capability to install wireless hotspots in the area to enhance tourism. The public municipal utility would keep Decorah competitive with surrounding communities as they complete fiber optic networks."

The petition is available at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/decorah-municipal-high-speed-fiber-optic-Internet