Forward-thinking leaders in Providence City have chosen to deliver a world-class fiber-optic infrastructure to give every residence and business fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband service. This fiber network, the first in Cache Valley, will allow the city to grow their technology sector, cultivate options for a remote workforce, and provide reliable internet access to the city’s school age children, who, with the onset of COVID, are dealing with trying and sometimes problematic remote schooling options. Fiber would also facilitate vital access to online telehealth services, and bring improved streaming, gaming, and entertainment experiences that the typical household requires in today’s internet-dependent world.
The deployment of fiber-optics, as a government-owned infrastructure, has become much more common over the last decade with several very successful city-wide fiber ventures. Many successful examples exist within the state; Spanish Fork, Brigham City, Lindon, Orem, West Point, Centerville, Midvale, Payson, West Valley City, Clearfield, Morgan City, Perry, Woodland Hills, Layton, Murray, and Tremonton have a track record of success. Several of these cities have leveraged the Utopia fiber model to achieve city-wide deployment. The Utopia model requires cities to guarantee the bond payment, to cover the required debt to build fiber in their city but does not offer the city any financial upside or ownership interest when subscription levels outperform expectations. Providence City officials see tremendous value in long-term ownership and control of their own fiber network.
To minimize damage to existing roads and minimize disruption to city traffic flow, City officials have determined that micro-trenching will be the primary method of installing conduit and fiber-optics throughout the community. Micro-trenching involves a 1.5” wide slot be cut 16-18” deep in city roads. Micro conduits will then be placed within these small trenches and covered with 12” of flowable fill and topped with a tar-based crack seal. Service drops to each home will be completed using underground drilling or aerial lines to avoid damage to yards and landscape. Several roads within Providence City are scheduled to be improved during the 2021 construction season. These roads will be targeted for construction first so that fiber infrastructure can be placed prior to road improvement projects. Scheduled to begin this summer, the city-wide fiber network infrastructure will take an estimated three years or less to complete.
For questions on this press release, contact Tyler Rasmussen at 622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.
