KentuckyWired is a state-run project constructing over 3,300 miles of high-speed, high-capacity fiber optic cable in every county in Kentucky. The KentuckyWired network is a "middle mile" project connecting government offices, universities, community colleges, state police posts, state parks, and other government institutions to the global internet. Anywhere along its path, Internet Service Providers will be able to connect to the network and bring faster, more reliable internet to every corner of the Commonwealth. Cellular providers will also be able to connect to KentuckyWired and build more cell phone towers throughout the state. Its 288-strand fiber optic cable will serve the needs of government agencies, universities, businesses, and citizens for decades to come.
KentuckyWired will help pay for its construction in two ways: 1) KentuckyWired will save the Commonwealth millions of dollars by owning its own middle mile network rather than paying private companies, and 2) By leasing half of its fiber strands to private companies.
Kentucky is the first state in the nation to build an open-access fiber optic cable network in every county.
If you need assistance, have a question or are unsure who to contact regarding KentuckyWired, use the below link to send an email to the KentuckyWired mailbox. Your email will be routed to the appropriate staff or support group for processing.
KentuckyWired@ky.gov
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KentuckyWired Network in Place with Room for more Migration (WEKU I By Stu Johnson)
The framework to bring high-speed internet service to govenment agencies and education facilities is in place. Click the following link to read the article.
KentuckyWired network . . .
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KCNA completes Statewide Fiber Installation!
The KentuckyWired project reached a significant milestone this summer when KCNA completed installation of the final segment of fiber optic cable in Ring 4 in western Kentucky. All fiber optic cable required for operation of the network statewide is attached to poles or run through conduit. The next critical objective is migration of the state offices, community colleges and public universities to the network. Currently, the plan is to connect 769 Sites to the network. To date, KCNA has connected 433 offices and higher education institutions to the network.
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Project Funding Debt Receives Rating Upgrade
The KentuckyWired project (KentuckyWired Infrastructure Co., Inc.)’s outstanding debt received a rating upgrade from Moody’s Investor Service on September 21, 2023.
The rating action reflects
• The project’s continued sound operating and financial performance, which remain in line with forecast expectations
• The absence of performance deductions impacting the project’s operations
• The completion of all remaining construction, and
• The project’s strong contractual cost recovery framework.
The ratings on the project’s $225 million Series 2015A and $56.3 million Series 2015B were upgraded to Baa1
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Construction Map September 2022 ![]()
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September 8, 2022 - The Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) currently has two job openings, a Controller and a Chief Operating Officer. Please check our "Careers" page for additional information.
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The KentuckyWired Infrastructure Company Special Board Meeting - August 10, 2022. Please click the link below to watch a recording of the meeting.
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Doug Hendrix Appointed Executive Director of KCNA
Doug Hendrix was appointed as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA), on July 16, 2022. KCNA manages and oversees the KentuckyWired network, the Commonwealth's statewide open-access broadband network. KentuckyWired is focused on meeting current needs for government locations, but more importantly, positioning Kentucky to be a national leader in high-capacity Internet service connections which promote economic development, enhance education and research capabilities, ensure public safety, improve healthcare delivery, and augment connectivity for libraries and communities.
Prior to being appointed Executive Director, Doug served as KCNA’s General Counsel, joining the staff in 2015. Previously, he served the Office of Legal Services for Finance and Commonwealth Office of Technology as its Executive Director, and Deputy General Counsel, and Legislative Liaison. He was a staff attorney for the Revenue Cabinet and the Public Service Commission.
He received a BBA in marketing from Eastern Kentucky University in 1986, and a JD from the University of Louisville School of Law in 1996.
Doug and his wife Laura live in Frankfort, Kentucky, while their three children Macaulay, Sydney, and Cooper live in Louisville, Chicago Illinois, and Danville (Centre College), respectively.
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The KCNA Special Board Meeting - June 23, 2022. Please click the link below to watch a recording of the meeting.
Facebook Live Feed
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The KCNA Regular Board Meeting - May 10, 2022. Please click the link below to watch a recording of the meeting.
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Mike Hayden named Interim Executive Director of KCNA
As Executive Director of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA), Mike Hayden oversees all aspects of the Commonwealth's open-access, broadband network known as KentuckyWired. Preceding this appointment Mike was the Chief Operating Officer of KCNA responsible for to engineering, operation, and ongoing maintenance of the KentuckyWired network. Prior to assuming the COO position at KCNA Mike was with the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Finance and Administration Cabinet serving in several technology and communications positions. Mike joined the Commonwealth from Windstream Communications where he was the Division Vice-President of Operations for New York and Pennsylvania.
Mike and his wife Patty reside in Simpsonville.
Hayden replaces Jamie Link who has been named Kentucky Labor Cabinet Secretary.
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Construction Map June 2021
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Feature Story: Kentucky Wired Opens the Digital Spigot
Read the full story here.
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Latest construction map from KCNA
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Construction of high-speed fiber optic cable is 98% complete.
Approximately 150 Commonwealth offices have already migrated over to the KentuckyWired network.
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KentuckyWired reaches Carroll County with Butler Park install
By Tim Hendrick, Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 1:00 am (Updated: March 19, 1:01 am)
Kentucky's new open-access fiber optic cable has reached Carroll County and is creating opportunities for improved internet and cellular service.
Once the KentuckyWired network installation is complete, access to high speed internet will be available in all 120 counties.
Ckick here to read the full story.
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Kentucky State Police begin connecting to KentuckyWired
Kentucky State Police Post #6 in Dry Ridge, KY became the first post to connect to the Commonwealth’s KentuckyWired high-speed fiber optic network. Their available internet speed increased 500% and latency problems disappeared. KSP#6 was one of 5 test sites. All have been highly successful. Over 900 state government sites will now begin connecting to KentuckyWired at an accelerated pace. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.
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Construction Update - 83% complete
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General Butler Joins KentuckyWired
General Butler State Resort Park near Carrollton became the first state park to transition to the KentuckyWired network today, Feb 18. Their internet speed increased from 5.1mbps to 50mbps!
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First users of KentuckyWired celebrate reliable, fast connection in rural areas
The high-speed fiber optic network will improve internet access in all 120 counties
"I would recommend this to anybody," says Karen Wotier, one of the first users of KentuckyWired - the state-owned, high-speed fiber optic cable network going into government offices in all 120 Kentucky counties. Wotier is the building manager for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) branch location in Owenton. It was the first office to transition to KentuckyWired in December. "With our old system, when we opened up in the morning – even with just one person here - after 10 or 15 minutes, that little circle was still spinning on my computer screen," Wotier said. "Now, with KentuckyWired, [the pages I need] come right up. It's amazing." Read the full story here.
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Sites Lighting Up on KentuckyWired!
Frankfort, KY (January 27, 2020) - KentuckyWired, the state-run project constructing high-speed fiber optic infrastructure to every Kentucky county, has begun connecting government offices in the northern section of the state known as Ring 1A.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) office in Owenton was the first site to transition over to KentuckyWired on Dec. 5. Now, after extensive testing to ensure network connections are working properly, other government sites are transitioning to the KentuckyWired network.
The second site, the Child Support office in Cynthiana, was connected to the network on Jan. 23. Three more offices, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet office in Covington, General Butler State Park near Carrollton and Kentucky State Police Post #6 in Dry Ridge, should join the network within the next two to three weeks.
Read the full story
here.
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KCNA Board Meeting
The Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNCA) Board met Thursday, January 16, 2020 in the Capitol Building. Secretary of the governor's executive cabinet and Chairman of the KCNA Board, J. Michael Brown, introduced KCNA's new executive director Jamie Link.
COO Mike Hayden, General Counsel Doug Hendrix, and CFO Steve Murphy presented an update on the construction and financial status of the KentuckyWired project.
Hayden said the fiber construction is approximately 80-85% complete, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October of this year. Doug Hendrix informed the new board members about the contracts involved in the project, and described some of the delays the project has undergone. CFO Steve Murphy explained the financial operations of KentuckyWired.
The Board then went into closed session for approximately 30 minutes to discuss potential litigation against KCNA, after which the meeting was adjourned.
The entire open session can be seen on the KCNA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KentuckyWired
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Link Named New Executive Director of KentuckyWired
FRANKFORT, Ky. (January 8, 2020) – Jamie Link has been named Executive Director of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) – the state agency overseeing the KentuckyWired project. During a special meeting Wednesday, Link was voted in and hired by the KCNA Board. He replaces Interim Director Deck Decker.
Link brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the agency. Previously he has served as the Finance Director for UK Student and Academic Life, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Steve Beshear, and Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet.
Link says, "I am honored to join the team at the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and look forward to advancing the project for world-class service to every area of the Commonwealth and to our citizens. I truly believe the projects will be transformational to our state and establish Kentucky as a national leader in broadband access for economic development, education, healthcare, and countless other purposes."
"After reviewing reports from the auditor and the legislative committee, it is clear that the KentuckyWired project needs an experienced project manager," said Executive Cabinet Secretary and KCNA Board chair, J. Michael Brown. "From his executive posts at the University of Kentucky and throughout state government to his successful management of Kentucky's World Equestrian Games, Jamie has demonstrated he has the skills needed to lead this project. By working together, we are going to expand Kentuckians' access to broadband and move our Commonwealth forward."