In September 2011, First Step Internet completed construction on seven microwave towers, which will extend broadband Internet coverage with speeds up to 100 Mbps across Idaho’s rural counties of Latah, Idaho, Clearwater, Lewis, and Nez Perce. With these seven towers, First Step Internet also activated a wireless area network that covers more than 150 miles and connected nine community anchor institutions, including two libraries, five schools, one Medical clinic, and one City Government building.

As part of the project, First Step Internet plans to build a total of 10 microwave towers and 69 fixed microwave paths that will connect a regional 550-mile network and provide wireless Internet access to as many as 21,000 households, 700 businesses, and 42 community anchor institutions.

First Step Internet’s network will also complement the Nez Perce Tribe Reservation Broadband Enhancement project, another BTOP grant that is providing high-speed, affordable broadband services across 1,200 square miles of reservation land. Combined, these two grants will provide complete broadband coverage for members of the reservation.
Additionally, First Step Internet launched an innovative outreach campaign to promote the benefits of broadband. The program created a television public service announcement to showcase the project’s construction progress and detail how high-speed Internet access will benefit the community.

Last Updated: December 7, 2011