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One question I have regarding the fiber broadband project is why is it taking so long to get this project up and going? It was around 13 to 14 months ago that the City Council hired a consultant to develop a program/project strategy and now the reported timeline is completion by the end of 2024. It's going to take 2 1/2 more years? Not to mention that it was initially suggested a few years ago.
For perspective, when Chattanooga created their fiber network, it was up and running in less than 2 years. And that was almost 15 years ago.
This network is much needed for the city. It just seems like City Hall is taking their normal slow walking pace in trying to get something accomplished. This is the type of project that needs urgency pushing it to a quicker completion, especially when you consider that the majority of the infrastructure needs are already in place.
I think there have been a few things that have slowed the process down some. When looking for funding, the city was awarded a grant but then Comcast appealed the grant and the city had to wait for that process to play out. Thankfully, Comcast lost their appeal.
It also seems like the overall project had increased in size. They were only initially going to do a fiber loop and it was going to be for businesses. When I asked about providing fiber for residences, it was stated that it wasn’t part of the initial plans. Per the article released yesterday though, they are putting in 183 miles of fiber optic lines and are planning to make it available to residences too. I’d imagine that’ll take a couple of years for planning, permitting and trying not to disrupt other things too much. Sounds like it’ll be worth it in the end.
I noticed yesterday that they had started tearing that church down. Marshall already owns it and the last I had heard, they were just using it for storage. I haven’t heard what they plan on doing there but I’ve always felt like that area over to 20th street would be a great area for further development like a Chik-Fil-a or another small row of businesses. Being so close to MU and right on 5th Ave it would do great business.
I think there have been a few things that have slowed the process down some. When looking for funding, the city was awarded a grant but then Comcast appealed the grant and the city had to wait for that process to play out. Thankfully, Comcast lost their appeal.
It also seems like the overall project had increased in size. They were only initially going to do a fiber loop and it was going to be for businesses. When I asked about providing fiber for residences, it was stated that it wasn’t part of the initial plans. Per the article released yesterday though, they are putting in 183 miles of fiber optic lines and are planning to make it available to residences too. I’d imagine that’ll take a couple of years for planning, permitting and trying not to disrupt other things too much. Sounds like it’ll be worth it in the end.
I wasn't aware that the initial plans only called for the business loop you mentioned. With that said, the article also mentions that most of the infrastructure is already in place since the plan is to use existing utility poles. Not having to install that extra infrastructure only reinforces my thoughts that this project should move at a faster pace going forward. As I stated in my previous post, urgency is the word. At the very least, have the network up and running in the downtown core ASAP.
Comcast's actions should only serve as another reminder why the city needs more competition for internet service. Also, it's a reminder that it was a bad decision by the City Council to award such a long term contract to Comcast a few years ago.
I agree very much on the urgency. You want any advantage you can to attract new business, residents, etc. Hopefully they will be able to get each completed section up and running as they go which you would think would help with the financing aspect to have paying customers.
The city contract to Comcast definitely wasn’t in our best interest. Unfortunately, these big companies are the only ones that can typically afford to put the infrastructure in and this allows them to hold everyone else hostage to their prices and service. The city actually tried to get Comcast to partner with them in this venture but they refused. I don’t think that they had any confidence that the city could get it done themselves. They will likely lose a lot of customers once this gets up and running though.
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