Dive Brief:

• Idaho judge Patrick Owen has ruled that a $60 M contract to create the Idaho Education Network and bring broadband to the state's public schools was made under illegal auspices.  
• The ruling is in response to a 2009 lawsuit in which Syringa Networks sued the state alleging that a contract unfairly given to Century Link, known at time as Quest.  
• The ruling creates some uncertainty for Idaho schools who are unsure what that means for their current broadband connection.  Additionally Judge Owen's ruling could mean the state will be responsible for repaying the federal government any money they used for the illegal contract.  

Dive Insight:

The ruling could mean Idaho owes the federal government as much as $13 million.  

Then there is the issue of when the current broadband program will be discontinued.  According to Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna, while the ruling was unexpected, the decision does not indicate that the broadband must be turned off immediately.