Save Local Broadband · The Public Record
They aren't a statistic. They're neighbors.
Homeowners, small businesses, and a housing nonprofit — from Oroville to Twisp — on what changed after an out-of-area company bought the local reseller, on relying on satellite where nothing else reaches, and on why local competition on the county's own network matters. In their own words.
115 voices 14 towns first-person · on the record Okanogan Co., Washington
Backed in public by the businesses behind these statements
◆ marks a business with a statement on this page — select its logo to read it
PART ONE — VOICES 01–13 After the out-of-area buyout
Then the company changed hands.
Same connection, new owner far away. What customers — and a housing nonprofit — lived through after the local reseller was bought out.
We provide low-income housing in Oroville, and our residents depend on our connection. After Core Fiber acquired NCI, we were down for two full weeks — and for most of that time, support told us nothing was wrong. It took two weeks of disruption to a nonprofit serving people who can least afford it before the problem was acknowledged. A local provider stepped in and helped get us working again, and we're now looking seriously at switching.
“Before the switch I was dealing with around 70% packet loss. My advertised speed is lower now — but my connection is actually reliable.”
“I wouldn't trade my local wireless for any amount of Starlink speed. I just need it to work like it used to.”
“A local provider got me online for half the price of Starlink — and helped me with my home network while they were at it.”
“Since switching to a local provider I've been nothing but happy. Why would the PUD jeopardize that?”
“Most of the PUD's ratepayers don't have deep pockets — or any wish to see the county overrun by outside investment groups.”
“After NCI was acquired by Core Fiber, that personal relationship changed, and unfortunately not for the better.”
“Lots of outages, and we fell back to Starlink more than once. I would still support this wireless upgrade — if we lose it now, we risk a bleak future for our county.”
“We switched to a local provider and the difference was immediate. It's amazing what a difference a company makes — it's not always the infrastructure.”
“We were skeptical, but agreed to a one-month demo — and we never went back. Same tower, same infrastructure, but someone installed it who cared.”
“We were forced onto Starlink after the Core Fiber buyout — nothing worked, and we run a critical service. If a local option worked as well, we'd switch back, or run both for redundancy.”
“With a Canadian number, we couldn't even call Core Fiber support. A local provider was way better — I really value having someone who helps beyond the router in our home.”
“I've had NCI since the John Andrist days. Lately a competitor has been helping me free of charge because I can't reach anyone — they answer the phone, but no one really shows up.”
THE DATELINES
14 towns. One county.
Every statement on this page is anchored to a place — Oroville to Brewster, Wauconda to Twisp. These aren't testimonials from nowhere. They're neighbors, on the map.
● a town on the record · sized by voices given
PART TWO — VOICES 14–21 On Starlink — no other choice
Stuck with the satellite.
Where nothing else reaches, Starlink is the only option — and even its own customers say the PUD's network is what keeps that bill in check.
We're on Starlink because where we live there is no other choice — and I'd switch to a local provider in an instant if I could. Even as a Starlink customer, I know its price is held in check by the local competition around it. I don't understand why the PUD would even put walking away from that on the table.
“I use Starlink because I have to — and I knew when I signed up that its rates were held back by the PUD's networks.”
“We have Starlink. The hookup and ever-increasing prices will soon be unaffordable for most of the residents in north Okanogan County.”
“I have Starlink but would switch to a local provider if there was a reliable option. This upgrade is long overdue and pays for itself.”
“I'm 86 and still live on my ranch. We have Starlink because nothing else reaches up here. We still need to support local infrastructure — it covers the most people, and most of us here are rural.”
“I only went with Starlink because the local tower wouldn't reach us. It looks like the upgrade would change that — and if it does, I'll switch instantly.”
“People need to realize that not all of us want to use Starlink. I want a local provider and updated infrastructure.”
“You've left the northern part of the county dead in the water. Before Starlink we paid almost $200 a month for 50 gigs. I would have happily supported local before corporate — but you offered no services.”
PART THREE — VOICES 22–115 Why local matters
Why local matters.
Business owners and homeowners on the difference between a provider who shows up and a line item managed from out of the area.
For years our only options were out-of-area companies, and the rates just kept climbing — it has cost us thousands over the years. Then a local provider stepped in, gave us more for less, and showed up in person to support it. No investor-run company is built to offer that; they're structured to extract money and raise rates. Without the local providers, this isn't a competitive market at all.
“My business runs on this connection. If our local provider ever went under, it would hurt every business in town.”
“Two price hikes in a single year, and support we could never reach. If the local providers go, we're left with nothing but bad options.”
“The local providers move mountains for my rentals and my business. Speed isn't our issue — support is.”
“I don't know what we'd do without our local provider. Everything else was so expensive.”
“Why is the PUD doing this? It was created to solve exactly the problem we're facing today.”
“I moved here from Kirkland, where we had no choice. I was shocked by how many providers Okanogan County has — and it's all local.”
“More competition is better for the county — and protecting the little guy from the big ones is exactly what the PUD is for.”
“Two investor-owned companies are not a competitive market. We need more competition, not less.”
“I've never been on the wireless system myself — but I 100% support the PUD keeping it up, for the coverage and the price protection.”
“I am forced to use big corporations instead of local businesses that need our business to keep this valley growing and healthy.”
“I'd been excited and eager to sign up when they pulled the plug. The PUD exists to stop this — to preempt monopolies. Please fund this upgrade.”
“The more I have learned about how remarkable and useful this network is, the more I'm confused why it wasn't upgraded sooner.”
“We don't need more outside big business in this county. Enough is enough.”
“The RSP program is an amazing asset for this county. I fully support funding the wireless upgrade.”
“This isn't a handout — the program is clearly popular and profitable. I just don't see an argument against investing in something so valuable.”
“I have never been wireless or used the RSP program, but I don't support giving up on a system that does so much for this county.”
“My local provider is easy to contact, and always provides what I need.”
“It's refreshing to work with a local company that treats you like a neighbor instead of an account number.”
“Having local technicians who understand the community makes a big difference.”
“I looked at switching to Starlink, but after comparing my options I decided to stay with a local provider.”
“It's nice knowing there's a real person nearby if I ever need assistance. That's something you don't get with many large providers.”
“We've appreciated having a provider that's part of the community and willing to go the extra mile.”
“It's nice doing business with people who actually care whether things are working.”
“Instead of waiting on hold with a call center, we can reach someone who understands our area and can actually solve the problem.”
“Instead of simply selling us internet, they became a trusted technology partner who genuinely cared about helping our business succeed.”
“Whenever we've needed anything, someone local has been available to help. That's worth a lot in a rural community.”
“Good internet is about more than download speeds. Local people who stand behind it have made all the difference.”
“I like supporting local providers because they reinvest in our communities. The people providing our internet are also our neighbors.”
“Choosing a local provider wasn't just about internet — it was about supporting businesses that are invested in our community.”
“When you know the people behind the service, problems get solved faster and customers are treated fairly.”
“When we needed help, someone local was there. Having local support gave us peace of mind.”
“A local provider spent nearly an entire day with my elderly parents. That kind of service isn't something you can get from a call center.”
“Everything has worked exactly the way we'd hoped. Local support has always been easy to reach.”
“The biggest difference has been customer service. Instead of navigating phone menus, we can speak directly with someone who wants to help.”
“The service has been dependable, and we've always felt like valued customers.”
“Reliable internet, quick responses, and people who genuinely care about keeping their customers connected.”
“Our local provider has delivered the kind of customer support you simply don't find with larger companies.”
“Instead of just installing the service and leaving, they took the time to sit down with me and help me understand how everything worked.”
“Every time the internet went down, our office couldn't reliably make or receive phone calls. Since switching to a local provider, that simply stopped happening.”
“Repeated outages with our previous provider disrupted our office more than once. We switched to a local provider, and we couldn't be happier.”
“When your provider is also your neighbor, the relationship is different — they're accountable, and they're invested in helping the community succeed.”
“I've never seen another internet provider put that much effort into solving a customer's problem.”
“We don't want to be forced to use — and pay monopoly prices for — Starlink. Big companies can choose not to service an area; we've seen it happen here.”
“I've struggled with the outages, but I still support the program. New hardware will help — and we need this to stabilize the market.”
“Much better service than I had with CenturyLink for over twenty years. Please review your decision not to upgrade our services.”
“I own a small business and I work for the TV District. Not doing this upgrade would keep our business from running efficiently.”
“I rescue dogs, work at the Senior Center, and sell real estate — and eight grandkids live in my house. Internet is very important to our family!”
“Local internet allows us a stronger economy — less reliant on national brands who continue to short-change their customers.”
“We're retired and don't have the time or ability to properly research or install Starlink. We depend on local support — and we're so grateful we have it in our county.”
“The PUD was created to solve this exact problem. I've lived, worked, and invested in this county for most of my life. This would be a massive step backwards.”
“I support growth and change — out with the old hardware, it's at the end of its life. This county needs to grow in a way where money is spent correctly.”
“None of our local providers can run internet service to my house — and I live less than five miles outside of city limits. Ridiculous in 2026.”
“The real product here isn't internet — it's security for the most vulnerable members of our county, a group that is growing every year.”
“Even if it's a better experience out of the gate, that level of service is never sustainable. We will suffer as a county if we let this die now.”
“Annual growth doesn't come from better customer satisfaction in a county with such a small captive population. It comes from cutting corners.”
“We depend on local providers for everything we do. We already have so few local businesses — this is only going to make that worse.”
“I jumped on board many years ago for longevity — there was never any word about short-term. This is something we need, a must-have. Keep going with it.”
“I've actively avoided larger ISPs and have no regrets. I can't replace the level of support we get from our local provider. We are sitting ducks without it.”
“We know how different our lives and our economy would be if it were not for the local providers in this county. It's vital that we fund this upgrade.”
“We need more small businesses in our county, not less. This program pays for itself. I'm happy with my provider — I haven't had any issues.”
“Good communication and local support are much more important to me than anything else. Most of the time when there is a problem, it's in my house — Starlink wouldn't help me there.”
“We've built relationships in this county that no investor-run company could ever replace. Fiber optic here was a bigger risk then than this is now. I hope this gets funded.”
“This was never about speed or price. It's about local, accountable options — and that carries value independent of returns.”
“My neighbor has had zero issues and I have had nothing but problems — and we are on the same tower. I'm switching tomorrow.”
“We need our security cameras working when we are not in town. If anything goes down, they take care of it quickly — we could not get that from a satellite-based company.”
“Fifteen years with my local provider — always there when needed. The service has always been good; a bit faster would be better, for sure. Support local!”
“Nobody wants outside companies — but people have been burned so many times, for so long, that it's tough not to switch. Give them something local that works and it will succeed.”
“People intuitively know that homegrown, local infrastructure is the cure to a problem that will never go away. We need this.”
“My business wouldn't be where it is today if it weren't for the local providers who went above and beyond. They help me with way more than internet — they care.”
“Things might be fine today, but if they get bad later, we will have no escape and no options.”
“If you let this die, we'd be just funneling money out of the county.”
“I have Ziply fiber in town, but I know if things got bad I could switch to a local provider in a heartbeat — and it generally pays for itself. This is a no-brainer.”
“Fiber and Starlink are the preferred options now — but if that ever changes, a local option gives us choices we might otherwise not have. It costs to keep that option. It's worth it, and necessary.”
“This program pays for itself, doesn't increase power ratepayer funds, and helps the local economy. It's worthwhile — we need to recognize its innate value.”
“The installation for Starlink is too much for us — we're too busy, and we value having someone take care of it and help keep us connected.”
“I needed a static IP for my VPN so I could print and reach devices directly. I can't get one through Starlink — a local provider set me up, and I couldn't be happier.”
“We have to do more for local business. If corporations consolidate too much, it's going to create extremely poor outcomes for this county.”
“Without local RSPs, what real options would residents have when prices go up, service goes down, or support is needed quickly?”
“Once we switched to one of the local PUD RSPs we had great, reliable service — and it has been that way for over 10 years.”
“Why does the PUD not want local business here? A trillionaire makes more money while small businesses go out of business — I do not think Starlink is better.”
“Starlink can be a useful option, but it should not become the only realistic option. If local RSPs are pushed out, residents lose more than an internet provider.”
“Many of the people our church serves struggle to get online and stay online. They rely on local RSPs — this is an equity problem, and the PUD needs to address it.”
“Communication through the internet and cell phones is essential for my household to pursue higher education — and I also rely on my internet to manage an autoimmune disorder.”
“Please reinvest in rural internet. There's no cell service where we live and it's spotty all over the county — communication is essential, and not everyone can afford Starlink.”
“It's always shutting off when I'm watching TV. I've called so many times and been told it's my end or my router — but the next day it works again. I'd gladly pay for an upgrade.”
“Out here we rely on the PUD's wireless along the one highway that runs through — we need local providers.”
“Letting our technology fall out of date only means a huge upgrade and expense later — until catching up seems financially out of reach.”
“I urge everyone to support local broadband. It helps the community and gives people a choice of providers. Please don't neglect it.”
“I rely on steady internet for my home office — my sole source of income, and the reason I could move here. Please invest in infrastructure so residents like me can live here.”
“I get my broadband through the PUD. Living out in the Chiliwist, I have very few options that are affordable.”
“I'm an emergency responder — having local infrastructure is critical. Starlink is a good backup, but it doesn't replace direct control over infrastructure we can rely on.”
“Most people don't have landlines anymore. We need these towers to use our phones and call anyone — that includes emergencies.”
“Better internet quality affects everyone — in-home use, schools and public libraries, local businesses. We must preserve public options.”
THE RECORD, IN ONE PLACE
Every voice, one line each.
Select a name to read the full statement.
Oroville Housing Authority, Oroville — “We were down two full weeks before the problem was acknowledged. A local provider is who got us working again.” Aaron U., Oroville — “Before the switch I was dealing with around 70% packet loss. My advertised speed is lower now — but my connection is actually reliable.” Heather R., Oroville — “I wouldn't trade my local wireless for any amount of Starlink speed. I just need it to work like it used to.” Gary W., Tonasket — “A local provider got me online for half the price of Starlink — and helped me with my home network while they were at it.” Casey N., Tonasket — “Since switching to a local provider I've been nothing but happy. Why would the PUD jeopardize that?” Elizabeth V., Omak — “Most of the PUD's ratepayers don't have deep pockets — or any wish to see the county overrun by outside investment groups.” Veranda Beach Resort, Oroville — “After NCI was acquired by Core Fiber, that personal relationship changed, and unfortunately not for the better.” Chris V., Tonasket — “Lots of outages, and we fell back to Starlink more than once. I would still support this wireless upgrade — if we lose it now, we risk a bleak future for our county.” Jim N., Tonasket — “We switched to a local provider and the difference was immediate. It's amazing what a difference a company makes — it's not always the infrastructure.” Rhonda H., Loomis — “We were skeptical, but agreed to a one-month demo — and we never went back. Same tower, same infrastructure, but someone installed it who cared.” Aeneas Valley Fire District, Tonasket — “We were forced onto Starlink after the Core Fiber buyout — nothing worked, and we run a critical service. If a local option worked as well, we'd switch back, or run both for redundancy.” Lisa H., Oroville — “With a Canadian number, we couldn't even call Core Fiber support. A local provider was way better — I really value having someone who helps beyond the router in our home.” Dina L., Omak — “I've had NCI since the John Andrist days. Lately a competitor has been helping me free of charge because I can't reach anyone — they answer the phone, but no one really shows up.” Anita K., Oroville — “We only have Starlink because we have no other choice. I'd switch to a local provider in an instant.” Jill G., Wauconda — “I use Starlink because I have to — and I knew when I signed up that its rates were held back by the PUD's networks.” Joan S., Oroville — “We have Starlink. The hookup and ever-increasing prices will soon be unaffordable for most of the residents in north Okanogan County.” Janet B., Omak — “I have Starlink but would switch to a local provider if there was a reliable option. This upgrade is long overdue and pays for itself.” Roger G., Wauconda — “I'm 86 and still live on my ranch. We have Starlink because nothing else reaches up here. We still need to support local infrastructure — it covers the most people, and most of us here are rural.” Angellia K., Tonasket — “I only went with Starlink because the local tower wouldn't reach us. It looks like the upgrade would change that — and if it does, I'll switch instantly.” Jordan D., Omak — “People need to realize that not all of us want to use Starlink. I want a local provider and updated infrastructure.” Robert P., Wauconda — “You've left the northern part of the county dead in the water. Before Starlink we paid almost $200 a month for 50 gigs. I would have happily supported local before corporate — but you offered no services.” Anna M., Brewster — “A local provider gave us more for less and showed up in person. No investor-run company is built to do that.” Mark H., Oroville — “My business runs on this connection. If our local provider ever went under, it would hurt every business in town.” Ernie B., Tonasket — “Two price hikes in a single year, and support we could never reach. If the local providers go, we're left with nothing but bad options.” Brian L., Loomis — “The local providers move mountains for my rentals and my business. Speed isn't our issue — support is.” Breadline Cafe, Omak — “I don't know what we'd do without our local provider. Everything else was so expensive.” Mike M., Twisp — “Why is the PUD doing this? It was created to solve exactly the problem we're facing today.” Susan B., Twisp — “I moved here from Kirkland, where we had no choice. I was shocked by how many providers Okanogan County has — and it's all local.” Tim S., Brewster — “More competition is better for the county — and protecting the little guy from the big ones is exactly what the PUD is for.” Sam V., Omak — “Two investor-owned companies are not a competitive market. We need more competition, not less.” Lisa A., Twisp — “I've never been on the wireless system myself — but I 100% support the PUD keeping it up, for the coverage and the price protection.” Ted E., Tonasket — “I am forced to use big corporations instead of local businesses that need our business to keep this valley growing and healthy.” Joël P., Tonasket — “I'd been excited and eager to sign up when they pulled the plug. The PUD exists to stop this — to preempt monopolies. Please fund this upgrade.” Alicia I., Omak — “The more I have learned about how remarkable and useful this network is, the more I'm confused why it wasn't upgraded sooner.” Diane G., Tonasket — “We don't need more outside big business in this county. Enough is enough.” Theresa W., Omak — “The RSP program is an amazing asset for this county. I fully support funding the wireless upgrade.” Sandy B., Tonasket — “This isn't a handout — the program is clearly popular and profitable. I just don't see an argument against investing in something so valuable.” Jim W., Brewster — “I have never been wireless or used the RSP program, but I don't support giving up on a system that does so much for this county.” Jocelyn H., Oroville — “My local provider is easy to contact, and always provides what I need.” Rosemarie P., Brewster — “It's refreshing to work with a local company that treats you like a neighbor instead of an account number.” Jacob P., Brewster — “Having local technicians who understand the community makes a big difference.” Clay P., Brewster — “I looked at switching to Starlink, but after comparing my options I decided to stay with a local provider.” Jenny P., Brewster — “It's nice knowing there's a real person nearby if I ever need assistance. That's something you don't get with many large providers.” Ann S., Brewster — “We've appreciated having a provider that's part of the community and willing to go the extra mile.” Jeff S., Brewster — “It's nice doing business with people who actually care whether things are working.” Alicia I., Brewster — “Instead of waiting on hold with a call center, we can reach someone who understands our area and can actually solve the problem.” Anita B., Brewster — “Instead of simply selling us internet, they became a trusted technology partner who genuinely cared about helping our business succeed.” Earl G., Pateros — “Whenever we've needed anything, someone local has been available to help. That's worth a lot in a rural community.” Dave R., Pateros — “Good internet is about more than download speeds. Local people who stand behind it have made all the difference.” Suzanne M., Pateros — “I like supporting local providers because they reinvest in our communities. The people providing our internet are also our neighbors.” Phillip M., Pateros — “Choosing a local provider wasn't just about internet — it was about supporting businesses that are invested in our community.” Gary W., Carlton — “When you know the people behind the service, problems get solved faster and customers are treated fairly.” Rosella T., Methow — “When we needed help, someone local was there. Having local support gave us peace of mind.” Eric C., Twisp — “A local provider spent nearly an entire day with my elderly parents. That kind of service isn't something you can get from a call center.” Josh E., Oroville — “Everything has worked exactly the way we'd hoped. Local support has always been easy to reach.” Christine E., Oroville — “The biggest difference has been customer service. Instead of navigating phone menus, we can speak directly with someone who wants to help.” April H., Oroville — “The service has been dependable, and we've always felt like valued customers.” John H., Oroville — “Reliable internet, quick responses, and people who genuinely care about keeping their customers connected.” Colten G., Oroville — “Our local provider has delivered the kind of customer support you simply don't find with larger companies.” Susan S., Tonasket — “Instead of just installing the service and leaving, they took the time to sit down with me and help me understand how everything worked.” Okanogan Valley Dental, Okanogan — “Every time the internet went down, our office couldn't reliably make or receive phone calls. Since switching to a local provider, that simply stopped happening.” North Cascades Dental, Okanogan — “Repeated outages with our previous provider disrupted our office more than once. We switched to a local provider, and we couldn't be happier.” Valley Lumber — “When your provider is also your neighbor, the relationship is different — they're accountable, and they're invested in helping the community succeed.” Frontier Foods, Oroville — “I've never seen another internet provider put that much effort into solving a customer's problem.” Sally E., Winthrop — “We don't want to be forced to use — and pay monopoly prices for — Starlink. Big companies can choose not to service an area; we've seen it happen here.” Valerie C., Oroville — “I've struggled with the outages, but I still support the program. New hardware will help — and we need this to stabilize the market.” Kathy L., Oroville — “Much better service than I had with CenturyLink for over twenty years. Please review your decision not to upgrade our services.” Heather D., Omak — “I own a small business and I work for the TV District. Not doing this upgrade would keep our business from running efficiently.” Sonya B., Tonasket — “I rescue dogs, work at the Senior Center, and sell real estate — and eight grandkids live in my house. Internet is very important to our family!” Jeremiah, Omak — “Local internet allows us a stronger economy — less reliant on national brands who continue to short-change their customers.” Bob T., Tonasket — “We're retired and don't have the time or ability to properly research or install Starlink. We depend on local support — and we're so grateful we have it in our county.” Jane T., Tonasket — “The PUD was created to solve this exact problem. I've lived, worked, and invested in this county for most of my life. This would be a massive step backwards.” Shawnee F., Malott — “I support growth and change — out with the old hardware, it's at the end of its life. This county needs to grow in a way where money is spent correctly.” Jordan H., Omak — “None of our local providers can run internet service to my house — and I live less than five miles outside of city limits. Ridiculous in 2026.” Robert T., Tonasket — “The real product here isn't internet — it's security for the most vulnerable members of our county, a group that is growing every year.” Danny V., Tonasket — “Even if it's a better experience out of the gate, that level of service is never sustainable. We will suffer as a county if we let this die now.” Larry B., Tonasket — “Annual growth doesn't come from better customer satisfaction in a county with such a small captive population. It comes from cutting corners.” Chris B., Brewster — “We depend on local providers for everything we do. We already have so few local businesses — this is only going to make that worse.” Don A., Riverside — “I jumped on board many years ago for longevity — there was never any word about short-term. This is something we need, a must-have. Keep going with it.” Ty H., Omak — “I've actively avoided larger ISPs and have no regrets. I can't replace the level of support we get from our local provider. We are sitting ducks without it.” All Valley Insulation, Omak — “We know how different our lives and our economy would be if it were not for the local providers in this county. It's vital that we fund this upgrade.” Will Orchards, Loomis — “We need more small businesses in our county, not less. This program pays for itself. I'm happy with my provider — I haven't had any issues.” Shirley W., Loomis — “Good communication and local support are much more important to me than anything else. Most of the time when there is a problem, it's in my house — Starlink wouldn't help me there.” CommunityNET, Okanogan — “We've built relationships in this county that no investor-run company could ever replace. Fiber optic here was a bigger risk then than this is now. I hope this gets funded.” Bill S., Okanogan — “This was never about speed or price. It's about local, accountable options — and that carries value independent of returns.” Tiffany S., Tonasket — “My neighbor has had zero issues and I have had nothing but problems — and we are on the same tower. I'm switching tomorrow.” John D., Oroville — “We need our security cameras working when we are not in town. If anything goes down, they take care of it quickly — we could not get that from a satellite-based company.” Terry G., Oroville — “Fifteen years with my local provider — always there when needed. The service has always been good; a bit faster would be better, for sure. Support local!” James G., Oroville — “Nobody wants outside companies — but people have been burned so many times, for so long, that it's tough not to switch. Give them something local that works and it will succeed.” Highland Internet, Oroville — “People intuitively know that homegrown, local infrastructure is the cure to a problem that will never go away. We need this.” Gary W., Loomis — “My business wouldn't be where it is today if it weren't for the local providers who went above and beyond. They help me with way more than internet — they care.” Janie J., Loomis — “Things might be fine today, but if they get bad later, we will have no escape and no options.” Greg W., Loomis — “If you let this die, we'd be just funneling money out of the county.” Wild Rose Floral Design, Tonasket — “I have Ziply fiber in town, but I know if things got bad I could switch to a local provider in a heartbeat — and it generally pays for itself. This is a no-brainer.” Michael K., Winthrop — “Fiber and Starlink are the preferred options now — but if that ever changes, a local option gives us choices we might otherwise not have. It costs to keep that option. It's worth it, and necessary.” Kirsten V., Winthrop — “This program pays for itself, doesn't increase power ratepayer funds, and helps the local economy. It's worthwhile — we need to recognize its innate value.” Sulema C., Tonasket — “The installation for Starlink is too much for us — we're too busy, and we value having someone take care of it and help keep us connected.” Mary H., Oroville — “I needed a static IP for my VPN so I could print and reach devices directly. I can't get one through Starlink — a local provider set me up, and I couldn't be happier.” Kelli P., Tonasket — “We have to do more for local business. If corporations consolidate too much, it's going to create extremely poor outcomes for this county.” Cody G., Oroville — “Without local RSPs, what real options would residents have when prices go up, service goes down, or support is needed quickly?” Alison G., Oroville — “Once we switched to one of the local PUD RSPs we had great, reliable service — and it has been that way for over 10 years.” Shannon W., Oroville — “Why does the PUD not want local business here? A trillionaire makes more money while small businesses go out of business — I do not think Starlink is better.” Will Connect, Oroville — “Starlink can be a useful option, but it should not become the only realistic option. If local RSPs are pushed out, residents lose more than an internet provider.” Nick V., Omak — “Many of the people our church serves struggle to get online and stay online. They rely on local RSPs — this is an equity problem, and the PUD needs to address it.” Kelly O., Omak — “Communication through the internet and cell phones is essential for my household to pursue higher education — and I also rely on my internet to manage an autoimmune disorder.” Janis T., Oroville — “Please reinvest in rural internet. There's no cell service where we live and it's spotty all over the county — communication is essential, and not everyone can afford Starlink.” Janis B., Okanogan — “It's always shutting off when I'm watching TV. I've called so many times and been told it's my end or my router — but the next day it works again. I'd gladly pay for an upgrade.” Jared S., Oroville — “Out here we rely on the PUD's wireless along the one highway that runs through — we need local providers.” Margaret S., Twisp — “Letting our technology fall out of date only means a huge upgrade and expense later — until catching up seems financially out of reach.” Laverne H., Tonasket — “I urge everyone to support local broadband. It helps the community and gives people a choice of providers. Please don't neglect it.” Felice L., Okanogan — “I rely on steady internet for my home office — my sole source of income, and the reason I could move here. Please invest in infrastructure so residents like me can live here.” Ruth H., Okanogan — “I get my broadband through the PUD. Living out in the Chiliwist, I have very few options that are affordable.” Jake A., Tonasket — “I'm an emergency responder — having local infrastructure is critical. Starlink is a good backup, but it doesn't replace direct control over infrastructure we can rely on.” Michelle C., Twisp — “Most people don't have landlines anymore. We need these towers to use our phones and call anyone — that includes emergencies.” Megan S., Tonasket — “Better internet quality affects everyone — in-home use, schools and public libraries, local businesses. We must preserve public options.”
The next voice on this page is yours.
Lived through the buyout? Stuck with one option where you are? Believe this county should keep the network it built? Say so, on the record — it's what commissioners read.
Add your voice →Every statement is first-person and published with the speaker's approval — first name, last initial, and town only · statements go to the PUD board · to correct or remove yours, contact us any time