Freeborn County
| Year | Rank | 100/20 Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | #28 of 87 | 89.1% |
| 2022 | #29 of 87 | 86.36% |
| 2021 | #32 of 87 | 85.89% |
| 2020 | #27 of 87 | 84.51% |
| 2019 | #25 of 87 | 83.88% |
| 2018 | #71 of 87 | 34.18% |
| 2017 | #11 of 87 | 94.59% |
Freeborn County: A Matter of Funding Momentum
Freeborn County ranks 28 (up one place) for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have hov89.1 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 1361 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $12.6 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.
They had hovered around 85 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up since 2019; they have seen a little bump up to 89 percent this year. They also have the unfortunate distinction from Recon Analytics to be named the unhappiest broadband county in the US.
They retain their yellow ranking with minimal increase in broadband, although they are bumping up against the 90 percent benchmark.
Household Density
17.3
Number of Providers
22
As of 2023 · Source: MN DEED
Households with Device Access
statewide
statewide
statewide
statewide
statewide
Has Worked with Blandin Foundation
No
Has Received MN Grant(s)
Yes
2015 – BEVCOMM Cannon Valley Telecom – Rural Freeborn Fiber-to-the-Premises Project – Grant award: $149,625
2016 – CANNON VALLEY TELECOM, INC. (DBA BEVCOMM) RURAL FREEBORN – GRANT: $150,700
2017 – BEVCOMM (Cannon Valley Telephone) – Freeborn Southwest Rural Final – GRANT $122,460
Freeborn is also getting almost $2 million in FCC funding but that is over the next 10 years.
Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association – SE Faribault/W Freeborn County FTTP – GRANT $953,842 This last-mile fiber optic project will bring service to 319 unserved locations, including 289 homes, 16 businesses, 11 farms, and three community anchor institutions in the townships of Clark, Foster, Kiester, Seely, Alden, Carlston, Manchester, Mansfield, and Pickerel Lake located in Southeastern Faribault and Western Freeborn counties.
2022 – ReConnect program, will help connect over 6,000 people, 150 businesses, and 680 farms across Freeborn, Morrison, Stearns, Houston, and Todd counties.