Groundbreaking Plan to Blanket County with Internet Service Through MUSD Partnership

Pinal County supervisors have greenlit the construction of a new radio network aimed at enhancing internet connectivity across the predominantly rural terrain of the county. The initiative will see the erection of 32 radio towers, each under 50 feet, on properties owned by the county and local school districts, including two districts serving Maricopa.

This strategic move allows for the installation of radio equipment on existing towers, promoting efficient use of resources. Mishell Terry, spokesperson for Maricopa Unified School District (MUSD), emphasized the project’s significance, stating it will enable students to connect reliably to the internet, whether at home, in school, or during their commutes.

Both MUSD and Stanfield Elementary School District stand to benefit from this radio network project. The inadequacies highlighted during the Covid-related lockdowns prompted county leaders to seek grant funding to address the pressing need for improved connectivity.

In June 2021, the Pinal County Superintendent’s Office successfully completed a $34 million project, establishing a 320-plus-mile fiber network linking schools and libraries throughout the region with federal support. This robust infrastructure has excess capacity, providing a solid foundation for future enhancements.

To tackle the “final mile” connectivity issues that fiber networks cannot address, Pinal County has procured additional federal funds. This funding includes four allocations totaling $4 million, supplemented by resources from the American Rescue Plan Act, aimed at overcoming unmet internet service needs across the region.