MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The state is investing $5 million to improve cellphone service in 21 southern areas and is on track to provide access to high-speed Internet service everywhere by the end of next year, Gov. Peter Shumlin said Friday.

The Vermont Telecommunications Authority, whose missions include securing access to affordable broadband services for all homes and businesses in the state and making sure its telecommunications infrastructure is continuously upgraded, has approved the grant to VTel Wireless, an affiliate of Vermont Telephone based in Springfield.