On Monday, September 13, 2010, the US Department of Agriculture Rural Utility Service (www.usda.gov) announced that Lake County will receive a Stimulus Fund award from the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) to build a fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network serving Lake County and a portion of eastern Saint Louis County. The BIP award includes a $56.4 million loan and a $10 million grant. Every premise in the service area that is currently served by an electric utility will be able to receive new state-of the-art telecommunication services, including ultra-high speed symmetric (two-way) broadband service, video services, conventional voice services and new services available only via fiber-optic cables. The service area covers all of Lake County and eastern Saint Louis County, including Ely, Babbitt, Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, Morris Township, Duluth Township, Embarrass Township, White Township, Waasa Township and Bassett Township.
Lake County Board Chairman Rick Goutermont said, “We are thrilled about the BIP award, one of the largest in the nation, as it will be able to launch new economic development efforts and enable the County to compete globally. This type of service is available in Northern Europe and the Pacific Rim, but only on a limited basis in the US. Not only will we be able to attract new businesses and jobs to the area, but we will be able to provide additional health care, educational and residential services to Lake and Saint Louis County residents and businesses.”Construction of the network is expected to begin in Spring 2011. The first customers are expected to be connected within one year. The entire network should be completed within 3 years. Lake County Commissioner Paul Bergman stated, “This network will be designed with redundant connectivity, so that service interruptions that we have experienced this last year won’t be possible. And it will be entirely built and supported by the users of the network, with no local taxpayer pledges or funds.”
The network will be designed and operated by National Public Broadband, Inc. (NPB), a new non-profit corporation whose principals have previously built and operated FTTP networks. NPB was formed in 2009 to develop and operate publicly-owned FTTP networks. Dr. Timothy Nulty, NPB CEO stated, “It is a myth that rural fiber networks cannot be built and operated on a fiscally sound basis. We look forward to demonstrating the viability of the Lake County network and helping rural areas compete in the global economy.” NPB Project Director Gary Fields added, “We expect the Lake County network to offer services that far exceed what is currently available and at prices that are equal to or lower than what people are now paying.”
Fiber-to-the-premise networks differ from conventional telecommunications services, which are delivered over a copper line (DSL service), copper coaxial cable (cable service) or wireless services (ground based tower or satellite services). Fiber-optic networks deliver data through a fiberglass fiber using lasers and other technologies that operate at speeds up to 1,000 times faster than conventional services.
No comments:
Post a Comment