I live in rural Indiana and our REMC rolled it out a few years ago, 1Gbps up/down for $95.00, no additional taxes or fees. I am paying slightly more as I was paying for 6Mbps DSL, that always had signal quality issues. Maybe there are reasons the phone company couldn't do better, but it seems like the co-op's focus is on delivering good service, and not how much money they can extract from people who otherwise don't have a choice. Last I heard the telco was finally looking into FTTH (now that there is some competition?)
My installer explained that the USDA subsidized a portion of the co-op's build-out, since rural areas are often underserved by broadband providers. I don't know all the specifics but I genuinely hope that it's sustainable in the long term for them (even if the subsidies weren't there). The article indicates that the co-op (or their partner at least) has done it with FCC money, from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. I know there's some balance between "well it's your fault you live in the middle of nowhere" and "we must deliver broadband to every American, at any cost," but I'm glad these programs exist so there's a chance of some competition/option in currently-underserved areas.
