Fiber to the premises is the best way to receive quality internet, unlike wireless services. It’s faster (1 Gbps), safe (wireless radiation is making one-third of the population sick and disabling 6%) and cybersecure (important for our privacy and infrastructure).

Rural electric co-ops around the country are providing FTTP, and their members love it. See the map at www.muninetworks.org.

Americans have already paid for FTTP, but telecom carriers fraudulently diverted their customers’ fees from FTTP to 5G development instead. That money ($500 billion) was recently won back for the states in the Irregulators vs. FCC.

We need to get Colorado’s portion to build our La Plata Electric Association fiber, along with members who will support LPEA by subscribing. Wireless is also an energy hog! It uses more than 10 times the energy of wired connections.

If LPEA doesn’t take the lead in providing fiber broadband and wireless comes instead, our sustainability goals will be defeated. If a hybrid model needs to be used in the short term, the Americans with Disabilities Act/Fair Housing Act rights of electromagnetically sensitive disabled people who live in remote areas for safe haven need to be protected.

For all our sakes, we need to reduce wireless radiation and switch to use of safer technology. The option of affordable LPEA fiber is absolutely necessary for every household and office. It will correct the digital divide that the telecom industry created so our communities can prosper and there is equal access for all to work and learn safely. Please let LPEA know you want member-owned fiber broadband by signing the petition: www.ipetitions.com/petition/lpea-broadband.

Nancy Van DoverDurango