LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The third-party provider of Kentucky's state-owned fiber optic network is blasting the state after being accused of failing in its mission to bring broadband to rural and underserved areas.
It's the latest in an ongoing dispute between the state and Accelecom, also known as OpenFiber Kentucky, with the thousands of Kentuckians at risk of losing internet access through the KentuckyWired network caught in the middle.
The Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA), the state agency that oversees KentuckyWired, has pointed to Accelecom as the problem.
At the heart of the issue is the underuse of the KentuckyWired system, a fiber optic cable network designed to bring high-speed internet to every county, most public schools, health care facilities, government offices and seven state universities.
But instead of closing the digital divide, some argue that the network is falling short of its mission.
KentuckyWired has spent $1 billion in taxpayer money to expand internet access, but all sides agree that the money spent has not led to the desired results. Last week, the KCNA pointed to a study they said shows much of the network unused, under-leased and not recouping its costs.
The state said Accelecom was expected to lease out fiber to private companies, but never followed through. It later announced it would be cutting ties with the company after accusations surfaced that it was stalling the network’s expansion and limiting access to the dark fiber — claims the company denies.
Monday, Accelecom issued an additional statement in response to the accusations by the KCNA and the ongoing dispute:
"The Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) is deceiving the people of Kentucky about the KentuckyWired project, which it has completely mishandled. In an attempt to conceal its gross incompetence—which has already cost the Commonwealth a fortune, with more to come—KCNA has advanced the false narrative that others, this time Accelecom, are to blame for the state of the project. That is categorically false, and it’s time to set the record straight.
"Accelecom has faithfully honored the Wholesaler Agreement and, indeed, has supported KCNA over and above its requirements, even lending millions to KCNA to replace critical infrastructure that was left to rot due to KCNA’s deficient maintenance practices. KCNA complains publicly of the absence of wholesale customers and dark-fiber sales, yet Accelecom currently has 44 wholesale customers for dark-fiber and lit services and KCNA is denying dozens of wholesale dark-fiber sales transactions, some that have been pending KCNA’s review since 2023.
"Meanwhile, KCNA has repeatedly breached the agreement in numerous ways. First by denying Accelecom access to make connections that KCNA had long reviewed and eventually by canceling the contract before its disputes with Accelecom—legitimate disputes being pursued in Kentucky courts and with the Finance Administration Cabinet (FAC)—have been resolved. To make matters worse, having exhausted its construction budget due to persistent cost overruns, KCNA breached the Wholesaler Agreement by giving away thousands of miles of its dark fiber network to third parties in exchange for construction services. The dark fiber capacity given away by KCNA is many times what it expected Accelecom to sell over its entire lifetime of the contract.
"Regardless, and in the face of KCNA’s deplorable conduct, Accelecom has remained faithful to the project and fighting every day to keep the KentuckyWired system up and running.
"There is no need to disconnect customers. The “emergency” that is causing so much distress is entirely of KCNA’s making. They are disregarding their contractual duties and harming the public. Accelecom, by contrast, stands ready, willing and able to continue honoring its obligations to KCNA and its customers.
"Concerned citizens and business owners should make their voices heard and hold KCNA leadership to account. It is not too late to salvage this critical infrastructure project, but it soon will be. The time to act is now.”
The state has not yet responded to a request for comment regarding Monday's statement.
Previous Coverage:
$1 billion fiber optic network meant to bridge Kentucky's digital divide sparks controversy
Broadband dispute escalates as Kentucky officials slam company over dark fiber access
Thousands could lose internet access as Kentucky cuts ties with fiber optic manager
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