Fiber shortages delay broadband expansion

DAVENPORT — Lincoln County’s multi-phase broadband project is encountering fresh setbacks as contractor availability and a tightening national supply of fiber-optic materials push back timelines for bringing high-speed internet to more rural residents.

Broadband Office Director Margie Hall provided commissioners with a detailed update Monday morning, April 20.

“The biggest hurdle we face right now is getting materials,” Hall said. “We just saw our MST and fiber delivery dates get pushed out. MSTs are now due to ship on May 1 instead of April 7 and the fiber optic cable is pushed out to May 31....