Las Vegas, NV —The Broadband Group and Colorado Springs Utilities recently announced the launch of one of the largest fiber networks of its kind for a municipally owned utility. Click here for more information about this exciting initiative.
Colorado Springs Utilities is the latest and largest community-owned utility to implement The Broadband Group’s Utility Lease Model™—a strategy that has already successfully delivered citywide fiber expansions to Huntsville Utilities in Alabama and City Utilities of Springfield in Missouri. The Broadband Group’s Utility Lease Model funds citywide expansion of advanced fiber infrastructure for utility operations without increasing rates for utility customers. The cost of the utility’s investment is significantly offset by a non-exclusive lease of excess bandwidth in the fiber network to an Internet Service Provider that delivers gigabit Internet to residents and businesses.
See Brookings Institute Reports about Utility Lease Model projects:
The enhanced citywide fiber network will allow Colorado Springs Utilities to better serve its customers and equip it for the requirements of the future. At the same time, it will provide a broadband network with full city coverage to ensure that every corner of Colorado Springs has access to high-speed Internet. Upon completion, the citywide fiber network is expected to surpass more than 200,000 addresses, bringing modern fiber infrastructure to all of Colorado Springs Utilities’ customers.
“Our core mission is to provide best-in-class utilities that meet the needs of our thriving community,” said Colorado Springs Utilities CEO Aram Benyamin. “Fundamental to our utility services is next-generation fiber connectivity. This non-exclusive network will provide the foundation for a prosperous and smart city of the future.”
According to the Grid Modernization Initiative at the United States Department of Energy, the nationwide electric grid does not have the attributes necessary to meet the demands of the 21st century and beyond, and it is the responsibility of local electric utility service providers to protect and improve their capabilities piece-by-piece. Electric utilities in cities throughout the country are slowly working toward modernizing their electric grids to meet growing demand and increased technical requirements. The strategic effort coordinated by The Broadband Group will enable the upgrade of Colorado Springs’ grid while attracting investment to help offset the construction cost and furthering internet access for residents and businesses in every corner of the city.
This announcement represents the culmination of more than a year of planning between Colorado Springs Utilities and The Broadband Group. Throughout the process, The Broadband Group has provided strategic financial planning (led by Britehorn Partners), network design, regulatory analysis and feasibility studies to ensure effectiveness and efficiency. The Broadband Group also provided guidance for leasing Colorado Springs Utilities’ excess dark fiber capacity to qualified Internet Service Providers, including anchor tenant Ting Internet. Now that the project is underway, The Broadband Group’s subsidiary, TBG Network Services, will provide construction management oversight until the network build is complete. Construction is set to commence in 2022 and is expected to last six years.
“Thanks to The Broadband Group’s lease model, the cost to build our next-generation fiber network to better serve our customers will be significantly offset,” said Brian Wortinger, Fiber Optics/Telecommunications manager for Colorado Springs Utilities. “We’re proud to have Ting Internet be the anchor tenant and look forward to our residents having access to world-class digital connectivity.”
About Colorado Springs Utilities
For generations, Colorado Springs Utilities has provided electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services to the Pikes Peak region. As a community-owned utility, its customers enjoy competitive prices, exceptional hometown service, sustainable solutions for a healthier environment and a voice in how their utility operates. For more information, visit csu.org or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
