City to build $3.5M fiber-optic network
Construction on 23-mile conduit bank expected to take 8-12 months.
Springboro is moving forward with construction of a $3.5 million fiber-optic network.
As theCOVID-19 pandemic continues to keep people working from their homes and inhibiting live sports and entertainment, the new high-spreed broadband network is envisioned as a road to improving local lifestyles and companies and drawing new residents and businesses.
“We are building that road,” Springboro City Manager Chris Pozzuto told the city council. “The resident gets to pick the cars and trucks theywant parked in their garage.”
OnMonday, the WarrenCounty PortAuthority approved $3.5million in financing and a lease with the city for a “23-mile-long underground conduit bank for carrying fiber optic cable throughout the city.” Springboro is to pay “lease rental payments sufficient to pay the principal of and interest” over 35 years.
The authority would lease the finished system back to the city
until the debt is repaid. The $3.5 million includes fees of $76,250 to be paid to the authority and to cover legal and advisory costs.
The authority board also agreed to pay Kleingers Group up to $ 25,00 to design the “base map” for the network.
The city would lease space in city hall and connection to the network to uptofifififififive internet providers.
“We’renot looking to provide service. All we’re trying to do is bring in competition,” Pozzuto said.
On July 2 , Pozzuto unveiledhisplanfor Springboro City Council.
“Smart homes require smart cities,” Pozzuto said in his presentation. “Both require smart infrastructure.”
The network would give the city and other customers better internet access enabling residents and businesses “to fully perform multiple functions online at once.”
“As more people work, study, play and create at home, the need for a proper digital roadway for the city magnifies,” Pozzuto continued.
The new cable network would have “greater bandwidth” than existing ones available in the city. Itwould also reduce problems with interference, according to the presentation.
For example, current copper coaxial cable can handle six “pulls” of data before the signal weakens compared to 2.5 million for fifiber, Pozzuto said. This translates to 25 seconds to download a two-hour high defifinition movie that currently takes 32 to 72 minutes with current cable bandwidths.
None of three internet providers in the cityprovide this level of service, according to the presentation.
The fifiber is to be installed through “micro-trenching,” minimizingdisruptionin the communityduring construction. Installation cost was estimated at $2.5 million.
Conduits through which providers are to run fiber would lead into neighborhoods in the city and unincorporated areas around it, including Clearcreek Twp.
To compensate city users, township customers would pay 150% for the service, Pozzuto explained.
The fifirst internet provider is expected to pay $100,000 a year.
“While revenue is important, I look at this more as a community development project,” Pozzuto said.
For the project, the city is also forming a partnership with the Miami Valley Educational Computer Association, based in Yellow Springs.
The association serves 31 school districts in Clark, Clinton, Greene, Highland, Fayette, Madison, Montgomery and Ross counties. It would build the system.
A Columbus company, Cologix, would provide the internet access.
The service is expected to help create good jobs, draw new companies and improve health care. The lifestyles of residents, including senior citizens andpeoplewithdisabilities, are to be eased by minimizing the needfor offiffice visits.
Mayor John Agenbroad said the service could help the city develop200acres of commercial property.
“This is going to draw more people to live there,” Councilwoman Becky Iverson said after the presentation.
The city plans to sign contracts with the authority and Point Broadband, the fifirst internet- service provider, in September. Construction is expected to take eight months to a year.