Jake Soenneker has lived in Becker Twp. for perhaps 25 years, enjoying the tranquility.

But the lack of houses hasn’t been helping as he has attempted to attract the investment of communication companies for faster broadband (internet) service.

He recently put out a plea on social media, asking for interested neighbors to sign up for the service.

It’s been a slow go, he admits. But he’s trying again, contacting the Citizen-Tribune for publicity.

Slow is the name of the game for the rural people, when it comes to broadband service.

He reports his neighborhood is receiving just six mgs of service; a minimum level of service should be 25 mgs, he says.

It certainly isn’t helping him with his home business. Soenneker is a software engineer and for the last year has worked with a Nashville music firm.

This spring he signed up with SkyNet Broadband, a small firm from Elk River, as they were the only business looking to expand their services in the county.

But they don’t have the same resources as larger firms, who apparently aren’t interested.

The request from SkyNet is that he secure 100 interested parties in his area for them to extend better service.

Arvig has been a broadband player in recent years in Sherburne County.

“They have been helpful, but not interested,” said Soenneker. “They need grant money to go forward.”

Arvig has used grant funds to extend services to areas of Big Lake, Haven Twp. and Annandale in recent years.

Areas Soenneker would want to concentrate on would be 91st Street to 82nd Street, then westerly to Hwy. 25. Another area would be down 97th Street to Co. Rd. 23. Several neighborhoods are located within those boundaries, he said.

The availability of good fiber optic service should be a higher priority to the people building homes or moving into existing homes, Soennecker contends.

“People are building $300-$500k homes in this area and are being told their Frontier or Windsream nodes are full,” he said. “They’re unable to get even basic DSL at 6mbps. Satellite internet is expensive, unreliable, and painfully slow.

“With faster internet service, people can reduce their TV-Satellite bill by over 75%.”

So, what’s he asking for? Foot soldiers, basically; residents who would carry the message to neighbors and drum up interest for better service.

“As more people work from home, it’s clear that internet service is not a luxjury - it’s a utility like electricity and should be treated as such.”

Soennecker can be reached at his internet group, www.facebook.com/groups/becker internet. Or, through their SkyNet signup, www.844skynet1.com/check-internet-availability.