Comments for Blandin on Broadband

Comment on Otter Tail County is asking questions about data centers, resources and authority within regulations and local governments by Bob

Bob — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 08:11:38 +0000

don't even think about putting a Data center in this county

Comment on How do job-seeking kids feel about AI? Not great by Derek Li

Derek Li — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 19:18:56 +0000

The Gallup numbers on how anxious young people feel about AI are striking, and the "unprepared" part is what stands out most to me. Rehearsal is one practical thing that helps. AnswerDojo, for example, lets you paste a real job posting and answer questions out loud, with an AI interviewer that follows up on what you said, then gives you a score. It is a concrete way for new grads to get comfortable with the process while the future of entry-level hiring takes shape.

Comment on Environmental Commission to present data center moratorium to Faribault city council (Rice County) by Eric Madow

Eric Madow — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 20:46:14 +0000

Data Center is a bad idea. Have not heard any benefit, just negatives.

Comment on Google is visiting MN communities (Pine Island & Hermantown) where they are looking at data centers Goodhue & Olmstead and St Louis Counties) by Ann Treacy

Ann Treacy — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 02:48:04 +0000

In reply to Brian Scholin. Thank you!! I had to look twice even after you pointed it out. And I know Pine City is in Pine County. Sometimes I'm blind to my own mistakes. Thanks again!!

Comment on Google is visiting MN communities (Pine Island & Hermantown) where they are looking at data centers Goodhue & Olmstead and St Louis Counties) by Brian Scholin

Brian Scholin — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 01:39:18 +0000

It’s not Pine City, it’s Pine Island. Fortunately.

Comment on Blue Earth has two decenters and looking at adding one more (Faribault County) by Bunny

Bunny — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:39:17 +0000

oh hell let’s build five more. Our electric bills aren’t high enough. Our water isn’t contaminated enough. People have been voicing their opinions about their displeasure and we’re gonna add more why because this is a small town and the electric company thinks that they can just mow us over. You can take your $300 a month electric bill and shove it

Comment on Gateway Fiber asks FCC to get involved with rights-of-way issues in Minnesota by Tim

Tim — Fri, 22 May 2026 09:26:45 +0000

The intent for that law is for small wireless providers but it could easily be interpreted to apply to wired internet providers. Cities are using MN cable franchising laws to require internet providers that don’t provide multi-channel video services to get a franchise agreement. Which makes sense as why should one company pay and another doesn’t when the only difference is whether they offer video services. For-profit companies shouldn’t get free rent in public rights-of-way, that land is way too valuable.

Comment on Gateway Fiber asks FCC to get involved with rights-of-way issues in Minnesota by Ann Treacy

Ann Treacy — Fri, 22 May 2026 01:37:52 +0000

In reply to Steve Howard. Interesting perspective!

Comment on Gateway Fiber asks FCC to get involved with rights-of-way issues in Minnesota by Steve Howard

Steve Howard — Thu, 21 May 2026 16:13:47 +0000

Disclaimer: I’m not an attorney and probably don’t know what I’m talking about!!! 🙂

It seems strange to me that Gateway Fiber has taken this to the FCC. I wonder if they have acquired legal services from a qualified MINNESOTA firm that specializes in telecommunications law? The law is fairly complex and has plenty of “grey areas”, but, Minn. Stat. § 237.163, subd. 7(a)(4) expressly prohibits local government units from requiring a franchise or payment for the use of right-of-way:

237.163 USE AND REGULATION OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY.
[…]
Subd. 7.Additional right-of-way provisions.
(a) In managing the public rights-of-way and in imposing fees under this section, no local government unit may:
(1) unlawfully discriminate among telecommunications right-of-way users;
(2) grant a preference to any telecommunications right-of-way user;
(3) create or erect any unreasonable requirement for entry to the public rights-of-way by telecommunications right-of-way users; or
(4) require a telecommunications right-of-way user to obtain a franchise or pay for the use of the right-of-way.

Comment on USI offers new Affordable Connectivity Plan of $25 for customers in the Twin Cities by Ann Treacy

Ann Treacy — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:12:26 +0000

In reply to Brad Albertson. Sorry to hear that.