Lawmakers question future of Kentucky’s billion-dollar broadband project

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — Kentucky lawmakers are raising new concerns about the long-troubled KentuckyWired project, including financial issues and the future of internet service for thousands.

KentuckyWired is a state-run project constructing over 3,300 miles of high-speed, high-capacity fiber optic cable in every county in Kentucky. The Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) contracted with OpenFiber Kentucky Company, LLC, doing business as Accelecom, to oversee the expansion of access across all 120 counties.

But a dispute between the state and cable provider Accelecom threatens access for Kentuckians who rely on the network. The Louisville FOX affiliate, WDRB, reported that the state agency overseeing the project blames Accelecom, saying much of the network is unused, under-leased, and failing to recoup its billion-dollar cost to taxpayers.

In January, KCNA terminated Accelecom’s contract due to its reported failure to meet its contractual obligations, according to KentuckyWired, and a disconnection notice was sent to Accelecom’s customers.

But Accelecom says the state is to blame—and calls the situation a “man-made emergency.”

In May, the state held a meeting to find a replacement.

Auditor Allison Ball now says her office is preparing to launch an investigation, looking into why the project still isn’t complete and what it’ll take to finish it.

Accelecom’s attorneys say they’re open to renegotiating.

The next committee meeting is set for 10 a.m. on August 13.