PSC settles with CenturyLink on maintenance, broadband

HELENA (AP) — Montana has reached a settlement with CenturyLink requiring the telecommunications company to improve maintenance response times and accept a federal grant to expand broadband in the state.

The Public Service Commission voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve the agreement. It includes a plan for reforming some maintenance practices and demands CenturyLink take the six-year, $90 million grant from the Connect America Fund.

The grant comes with tight deadlines and strict geographic requirements for making phone and Internet services more accessible to rural Montanans.

The utilities regu...