Idaho Falls exploring options to provide fiber optic connectivity to homes
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The following is a news release from the city of Idaho Falls.
IDAHO FALLS — In 2015, Idaho Falls Power solicited proposals from consultants to refresh the business model of the city’s fiber optic enterprise and contemplate options for continued expansion, with a focus on fiber connectivity directly to the home.
A consulting team will be presenting the many expansion options available to the Idaho Falls City Council at an afternoon work session on Monday, May 23. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m., and the full agenda and schedule will be posted the Friday before. The public is invited to attend or watch the meeting via the city’s live video internet stream.
The feasibility study, conducted by Finley Engineering and CCG Consulting, not only looked at the cost of building fiber everywhere in the city, but also evaluated the cost of electronics and other assets needed to expand the city’s fiber network.
A variety of scenarios were researched, ranging from the city being the ISP (Internet Service Provider) to numerous ways that a commercial provider might perform in the city, as well as at an open access network where the city builds the network and multiple ISPs provide the services.
“Idaho Falls’ city officials believe that high speed broadband connectivity is a necessary 21st Century infrastructure offering,” states Mayor Rebecca Casper. “The results of this thorough study will poise the city to consider next steps for its already successful fiber network,” adds Casper.
Idaho Falls initially pursued construction of its fiber optic network in earnest in 2002 to enable business connectivity, knowing that the service was critical to global competitiveness and economic development. “Since that time, our network has been embraced by service providers and the business community,” states Jackie Flowers, Idaho Falls Power General Manager. “We have enjoyed a successful public/private partnership in our fiber optic enterprise for well over a decade,” adds Flowers.
The city’s current fiber infrastructure has not only improved operational efficiencies for the city and its utilities, but it has also facilitated economic development, competitive internet service rates and helped maintain city rights-of-way.
Today, nearly 400 business locations are connected to the Idaho Falls fiber network with service being provided by seven private ISPs. “Many of our end-use customers are unaware that they are connected to the Idaho Falls network because we are the backbone that the service providers use to serve their customers,” says Flowers.
The current fiber network enables voice, video and data service including access to high speed bandwidth internet (speeds in excess of 1 gigabit) and voice over internet protocol. The network also promotes video on demand and digital high-definition programming.