STRATA Networks announced the completion of an extensive 68-mile fiber-optic project that now connects schools, health clinics, and communities within Daggett County to STRATA’s fiber-optic network. This project was made possible due to the collaboration of the Utah Education & Telehealth Network (UETN), STRATA Networks, Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), and the Daggett School District.
STRATA’s core focus for this project was connecting the schools in Manila and Dutch John, but the positive ripple effects of bringing fiber to these rural areas, schools and communities is incalculable. “Utah students and educators, patients and physicians should have access to the best technology no matter where they live,” said UETN CEO Ray Timothy. “Broadband is a necessity to promote growth in communities, business, tourism, education and healthcare.”
Speaking during the Daggett Fiber Completion Celebration, Lynne Yocum, UDOT Fiber Optics Manager said, “Communities that are connected bring about a world of change in economic development, bring about a world of change in education and will bring about a world of change with what we are doing in transportation.” Yocum explained to the audience that with the new fiber connections, UDOT will be able to install cameras and weather sensors along the route to gather real time information that will aid in public safety and perhaps save lives and “get to our zero fatality goal.”
The above-mentioned Daggett Fiber Celebration was held on September 2, 2020, honoring the people and organizations who worked together to bring this project to fruition. Due to the coordinated efforts of many groups, the Daggett Fiber Project was completed in an astoundingly short time, ahead of schedule and under budget. Additional benefits from this project include a fiber connection at the beautiful Flaming Gorge Dam and improvements in cellular coverage (4G LTE) along this route due to fiber connectivity.
During this project STRATA also worked closely with the United States Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Utah State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Uintah County, and Daggett County to accommodate the many environmental, archaeological, paleontological, and historical requirements along the route.
Dave Ryan, STRATA Networks Plant Design Manager stated, “The terrain and remote nature of this project provided a challenge that was difficult to overcome.” The majority of the route for this project was mountainous with much of the work taking place above 8000’ elevation. Roughly 40% of the route was in rock or solid rock conditions requiring the use of a 100,000-pound rock saw, cutting a trench roughly 54” deep, for secure placement for fiber conduits. Ryan further stated, “It reminds me of those early cooperative members, forging ahead with the construction of telecommunications infrastructure in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. In the face of significant challenges, both then and now, STRATA’s crews stepped up to connect lives. As an organization, that’s what we do. We connect lives. This project is something our crews can be proud of for many generations to come.”
For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 435-622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com
STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending into a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.
