SILVERTON, Colo.—Some Silverton residents are upset that Qwest Communications is using a microwave relay instead of fiber-optic cable for their cell phone and Internet service.
Qwest contracted with the state for fiber-optic service to each county seat, including Silverton in San Juan County.
Qwest says it was too expensive to run fiber-optic cable to Silverton in the rugged San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. It says the state accepted the microwave system, and that it provides plenty of capacity.
Silverton officials filed a complaint with state regulators in May but withdrew it in June, saying they weren’t well-versed in the procedures.
Some residents are trying to raise money with bake sales and chili cook-offs to finance another filing.
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Information from: Durango Herald,



