Waterloo Fiber Launches Trial Ahead Of February Commercial Launch
Waterloo, Iowa’s municipal broadband project has taken a major step forward after nearly two decades of planning.
Waterloo Fiber officials just launched their first limited fiber trial, will connect their first commercial customers in February, and are on target to deploy affordable fiber at speeds up to 10 gigabit per second (Gbps) to every last city resident by 2026.
When we last checked in with Waterloo in February of last year, the city was putting the finishing touches on a plan to spend $115 million to build a fiber backbone accessible to all 67,695 Waterloo residents, after locals approved the city issuing general obligation bonds to fund the start of the three-phase construction project.
Construction of the network began last summer at a groundbreaking ceremony hosted by Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart.
“It will be the lifeline that connects our entire community, enabling businesses to thrive, students to excel and families to stay connected," Hart told attendees. "This fiber system will lay the foundation for a smart city innovation, economic growth and an enhanced quality of life for all our residents."

Last month the city connected the first of four participants in a limited pilot project.