Hudson, Ohio officials are now accepting bids on a promising new fiber-to-the-home network that should dramatically improve affordable, next-generation broadband access in the city of 23,000.
It’s just the latest effort by a city that has been exploring the option of municipal broadband infrastructure for more than a decade.
Just 15 miles north of Akron, the city has spent the better part of the last three years preparing to forge a new public-private-partnership (PPP) to expand access.
The city already owns and operates its own broadband network (Velocity Broadband, launched in 2015), but it exclusively serves the city’s businesses with gigabit-capable fiber.
The city’s new partnership would leverage that existing business network and core fiber assets to finally bring fiber optic connectivity to the city’s residents.
“The proposed work includes the installation of new fiber optic infrastructure, including approximately 11,750 lineal feet of 1.5-inch underground HDPE fiber conduit via horizontal directional drilling, 7,900 lineal feet of new aerial fiber, the placement of underground fiber vaults and handholes, and the subsequent fiber optic cable installation and testing,” the city’s proposal states.
According to the city, once a build partner is selected the network construction will occur in two phases: the first being underground fiber installation within the Oak Point Commons Subdivision including Westpoint Drive and Ridgewood Blvd off of Boston Mills Road. The second includes overhead and underground fiber installation along Hines Hill Road to the Woods of Westbrooke Subdivision off of Walters Road.
Hudson officials did not respond to a request for comment on the full expected cost of the project.
Like many U.S. markets, Hudson sees very little broadband competition. The market is predominately dominated by Charter (Spectrum), and the lack of competition results in spotty availability, high prices, slow speeds, and abysmal customer service.
Entrenched monopolies historically haven’t responded well to the city’s foray into building its own broadband infrastructure. Hudson’s decision to build a business-only broadband provider in 2015 resulted in no shortage of misleading attacks by telecom monopoly proxy groups looking to undermine public support for the city’s broadband initiatives.
The deadline for the city’s new public private partnership bids was June 17. A partner is expected to be announced by the city sometime during late summer or early fall.
Inline image of Velocity Broadband employee standing next to van courtesy of City of Hudson
