PointNet partners with PUD #1 for state broadband grant

After nearly four years of work aimed to bring faster internet to Point Roberts, Bob Hillman, president and founder of PointNet Solutions, received a phone call from Whatcom County Public Utility District #1 (PUD #1) in early January asking if he would partner with them to apply for a grant from the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO).

Hillman, a resident of Point Roberts and veteran of the telecommunications industry “had to think about it for about ten seconds” before agreeing to fully partner with PUD to apply for a grant to construct a 100 percent fiber expansion to the remaining areas of the Point that have not been covered in previous grants to Whidbey Telecom. The partnership is contingent upon success in the WSBO grant programs that closed on January 17.

PUD #1 has applied for a total of $8.1 million in grant money from the WSBO which would be used for broadband projects in the communities of Point Roberts, Glacier and Ravencrest. The program requires the applicant to supply 10 percent of the project cost in cash or in-kind donation.

There is approximately $120 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds available for this particular round of financing, which is open to qualified applicants such as tribal and nonprofit agencies and government/private enterprise entities.

The rationale behind the funding request for Point Roberts is outlined in an August 2022 report by the district’s Andrew Entrekin (bit.ly/3wvQkCW).

Hillman has been focused on improved community connectivity since the summer of 2019.

“Before Delta Cable cut the service to the Point, I was getting my broadband from them. I decided that the community was so poorly served that somebody needed to step up, so I created PointNet. I extensively surveyed the Point and did a bunch of designs to develop a plan to cover 100 percent of the community to fully meet federal and state service levels,” said Hillman.

When asked about why he is confident the grant will be awarded for Point Roberts, Hillman pointed out the necessity of broadband on the Point. “Point Roberts suffered horribly during the pandemic. We had really poor broadband. People who needed to do remote work, or avail themselves of telemedicine, and the kids who needed to learn remotely were really hurting badly. We lost some decent families because of it. Hopefully the county will see this and decide to go through with this grant.”

Even though $1.5 million has been granted to Whidbey Telecom to extend fiber network areas along the south and western edges of the Point in late 2021, Hillman said that the Point will still have weak internet service. “PointNet is committed to taking Point Roberts from 168th ranked community in the state by internet download speed to the most connected community in the state,” he added.

The proposed project will bring eventually fiber optic service to all remaining areas of Point Roberts including Maple Beach and South Beach, the most densely built areas in the community. The PUD and PointNet project will cover over 1,250 homes in designated areas, approximately 50 percent of all homes. The budget for the project is $3.5 million, according to Hillman. A minimum service of 150 megabytes per second symmetrical (up and download) would cost $50/a month with a $100 one-time installation fee, he said.

In the project areas, PointNet will initially utilize new and existing cable lines dating from Delta Cablevision days; fiber optic lines will be installed in designated areas with 4-6 weeks and connected to homeowners’ outside walls. Contractors have agreed to start installing the cable lines within three weeks of when the grant money is awarded and could possibly be finished within a couple months of that. “I’m really excited that the community is finally going to get what it needs,” said Hillman, “People will notice a black and white difference. Most people will say ‘oh, it’s about time.’ Well, you know, maybe they’re right.”

PointNet will have a three-year exclusive use of the system. After that, it will become a public utility, and will be fully open to any ISP that may wish to provide a competitive service. The funding and partnership are contingent on the grant, and announcements of the successful applicants is expected on February 28.