Posted: 07.22.2011

A Dane County judge has ruled against a telecommunications company that wanted to slow down a broadband project in rural communities.

The University of Wisconsin System and others were awarded more than $37 million in grants for the project. Its goal is to deliver telecommunications capabilities to schools, hospitals and emergency services.

But Wisconsin Independent Telecommunications Systems, which operates as Access Wisconsin, filed a lawsuit. The company claims the project violates state law. It wanted a temporary restraining order to stop the project.

A Wisconsin State Journal report says Judge Peter Anderson denied the request Wednesday.
The project will bring broadband services to project in Eau Claire, Chippewa, Douglas, Dunn, Grant, Marathon and Menominee counties.

Critics argue that the efforts compete with the private sector.

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