New fiber hubs set for Moses Lake, Quincy

EPHRATA — Two Moses Lake neighborhoods are slated to receive fiber-optic network service in 2007, following a decision Tuesday by the Grant County Public Utility District commissioners.

The commissioners approved a plan to build-out the network in up to four areas, or "hubs," using fiber-optic materials the PUD has in inventory.

A Moses Lake neighborhood in the southern section of the city — bounded by Yonezawa Boulevard to the south and Linden Avenue to the north — is expected to be the first new hub built in Grant County since early 2004.

"We believe the take-rate is going to be really good there," Tony Webb, PUD director of customer service, told the commissioners Tuesday.

With approximately 10,000 retail customers already available for service countywide, the take-rate hovers around 40 percent. One objective of the 2007 build-out is to renew the interests of service providers.

Russ Brethower, PUD fiber business manager, said the first three hubs selected have conduit in place to string fiber-optic cables through. Developers of the three areas received conduit from the PUD, for free, Brethower said.

Another objective of the build-out is to construct hubs where the most infrastructure, including conduit, is already in place.

Sage Vista — an area south of Valley Road and accessed by Paxson Drive — is likely to be the second hub built this year, Brethower said.

Quincy is scheduled to receive one new hub this year, following construction of the two in Moses Lake.

The Quincy hub is to be located in the southwest part of the city. Quincy Valley Medical Center and Monument Elementary School are in the area, but are already connected to the PUD's network.

A fourth hub may be built this year, if time and resources are available, said PUD spokeswoman Sarah Morford. The location of the fourth hub has not been officially determined, she said.

The commissioners in the coming weeks are scheduled to contract with a company for design and construction of the hubs. Though it's unlikely, Brethower said the contractor may decide to build the hubs in a different order.

The build-out this year increases the number of homes and businesses with network availability by approximately 650.

Plans to further expand the network are to be considered during the PUD's 2008 budgeting process.

PUD Commission President Randy Allred and Commissioner Greg Hansen said Tuesday they prefer a business plan be developed before network build-out is continued.

Allred and Hansen pointed out the PUD spends more on the network than it generates in revenue.

"Our first responsibility is to stop the red ink," Hansen said.

As the PUD continues build-out, Allred said they must construct rural hubs, too. Most existing hubs are in cities, he added.

"That's very disappointing," Allred said.

For starters, Allred instructed PUD staff members to consider a hub in Mattawa.

Commissioner Tom Flint said he also wanted to see rural hubs being built.

In January, the current commission ended the telecommunications "stand pat" policy. Stand pat halted build-out of the network.