Telecommunications executives and government officials on Tuesday criticized a contract for a $116 million statewide communications system called BadgerNet 2, recently awarded to a group of companies headed by SBC. The group, called the Wisconsin BadgerNet Access Alliance, has a five-year deal with the state to provide data and video networking to link state, local government and educational institutions. The alliance includes Verizon; Norlight, a division of Journal Communications Inc. (which publishes the Journal Sentinel); and CenturyTel. The new network will replace the 10-year-old BadgerNet system that now makes it possible for students in remote locations to take televised classes not available in their areas.
Office of Strategic Communication