What’s Happening With Broadband in Taylor County?

Right now, several internet companies are building or upgrading networks to bring faster internet to more homes and businesses in Taylor County.

  • BEAD – A state program that picks certain areas to get new internet service first.

  • Bug Tussel – Building both fiber (underground cables) and wireless internet towers. Fiber projects move through 7 steps, from design to live service.

  • Charter/Spectrum – Has areas they promised to serve (PSC map) and some areas they decided not to build (defaulted areas).

  • TDS Telecom – Upgrading and expanding their service in certain zones.

Why does it take so long?
These projects involve planning, getting permits, digging trenches, putting up equipment, connecting power, and testing everything before it works in your home.

When will it be done?
Not all at once. Different places will get service at different times, sometimes months or years apart. Some areas may already have service (“live” on the map), while others are still in the design or permitting stages.

How can I find out about my address?
Use the Find Providers by Address tool. It shows which providers serve your location now, and which projects are planned for your area.

Broadband Task Force for Taylor County

The Broadband Task Force for Taylor County involves several community leaders in local government, education, and the business community working together to guide the development of high-speed internet in Taylor County. The task force is chaired by Michael Bub, who is the Board of Supervisors for District 4.

List of Task Force Members

  • Michael Bub (Chair)

  • Charles Zenner – Board of Supervisors for District 8

  • Susan Swiantek – Board of Supervisors for District 3

  • Rollie Thums – Board of Supervisors for District 12

  • James Stokes – Owner and CEO Stokhaus Media and Owner James Stokes Photography, LLC

  • Gene Knoll – Community Member

  • Kenneth Ceaglske – President & CEO, Taylor Electric Cooperative

  • Melissa Lind – Taylor County Information Technology Director

  • Michelle Grimm – Community Resource Development Agent, Taylor County UW-Extension

Broadband Expansion – Taylor County

Last updated: August 14, 2025

This page aggregates current maps and project status from multiple providers and funding programs. Boundaries and timelines may change as construction progresses. Use the buttons below to open the most recent public maps (Canva view links).

Countywide Overview

Four parallel efforts are improving internet access across Taylor County:

  • BEAD – State-defined eligible areas prioritized for buildouts.
  • Bug Tussel – Fiber (Stages 1–7) and Fixed Wireless deployments.
  • Charter RDOF – PSC award areas and separate defaulted territories.
  • TDS E‑ACAM – Expansion commitments and service upgrades.

Open the overview map for a high-level view of all projects: Countywide Overview (View).

BEAD Program Areas

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD)

See current BEAD-eligible units for Taylor County. Eligibility and boundaries may evolve as projects are approved.

Open BEAD Map

Bug Tussel – Taylor County

Fiber stages & fixed wireless coverage

Fiber stages
  1. Design
  2. Permitting
  3. Approvals
  4. Conduit
  5. Deployment
  6. Integration
  7. Live

Fixed Wireless sites may be Live or In Progress. Open the map for the latest status.

Open Bug Tussel Map

Charter RDOF

PSC award areas and defaulted territories

PSC Award Areas

Open PSC Areas Map

Defaulted Areas

Open Defaulted Areas Map

Defaulted RDOF areas may be eligible for other funding or alternative providers; residents in these locations should monitor BEAD and other state/federal programs.

TDS – E‑ACAM Expansion

PSC‑mapped zones and upgrades

Availability varies by address; construction timelines can change. Open the public map for current zones.

Open TDS E‑ACAM Map

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my address is eligible?

Use provider address-check tools and the BEAD map. Providers and state agencies will confirm eligibility and installation timelines.

Why do maps change?

Permitting, engineering, and funding milestones can shift routes or timelines. We update the links and date above whenever we receive new information.

Who do I contact with questions?

Email the Taylor County UW‑Extension office at {{grant.bub@co.taylor.wi.us }} or call {{7157858359}}.

Maps are provided for general reference only and may not reflect precise conditions on the ground. Data is subject to change.

Taylor County Broadband – Combined Map (Public Layers)

Bug Tussel – reference locations   BEAD (overview link)   Charter RDOF – PSC (link)   Charter RDOF – Defaulted (link)   TDS E‑ACAM (link)

This first‑pass digitization places markers based on locations referenced in the Q2 2025 Bug Tussel update and links out to your public provider maps. Detailed boundaries will appear once we receive GIS layers.

View Available Broadband Providers by Address

Broadband Contacts

Call or email the providers below for service availability, construction updates, or support.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I check if broadband is available at my address?

Use the Taylor County Broadband Address Lookup Tool. Enter your address to see which providers currently serve your location.

What do the different maps represent?
  • BEAD Map – State-funded Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program eligible areas.
  • Bug Tussel Map – Fiber stages (1–7) and fixed wireless coverage in Taylor County, updated quarterly.
    Stages range from Stage 1 (Design) to Stage 7 (Live service):contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
  • Charter RDOF Maps – PSC award areas and defaulted areas (“pink”):contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
  • TDS E-ACAM Map – Expansion areas under the Enhanced Alternative Connect America Model:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
Why do maps and coverage areas change?

Permitting delays, design changes, and funding adjustments can shift boundaries and timelines. Providers submit updated information to the County quarterly, and maps are updated as soon as new data is available.

Who should I contact for service questions?

Contact providers directly for the most up-to-date service information:

What do the fiber stages mean?
  1. Design: Route planning is in progress.
  2. Permitting: Applications are submitted and awaiting approval.
  3. Approvals: Scope and design have been approved.
  4. Conduit: Construction of conduit is underway.
  5. Deployment: Fiber is being installed.
  6. Integration: Power and network connections are being made.
  7. Live: Service is available to customers.
How often is this information updated?

Maps and provider updates are posted quarterly or whenever significant changes occur. The “Last Updated” date on this page reflects the most recent update cycle.