New fiber-optic hubs to be built in 2007
EPHRATA — The Grant County Public Utility District commissioners on Tuesday approved build-out of fiber-optic network service in Moses Lake and Quincy for 2007.
Two to four areas, or "hubs," are expected to be finished by year's end, using the utility's existing inventory, according to the PUD.
The selected areas already have conduit installed to assist in build-out.
The construction is expected to increase the number of homes and businesses with network availability by approximately 650, according to the PUD.
Plans to further expand the network are to be considered in the PUD's 2008 budgeting process.
The commissioners are to act on a resolution in the coming weeks to approve a contract with an independent company for design and construction of the selected hubs.
"This is a measured approach to continued construction of the broadband network," PUD General Manager Tim Culbertson said Tuesday.
Grant County is in a period of significant growth, Culbertson said. Electric system crews are already busy with projects bringing power to homes and businesses, he added.
"Although we would prefer to use our own crews for 2007, we will rely upon contractors to ensure that our core business remains our first priority," Culbertson said.
Russ Brethower, a PUD network employee, said the most recent hub constructed was in early 2004. The cost for constructing the new hubs in 2007 is just less than $1 million, Brethower said.
Carl Highland of HomeNet Northwest, an Ephrata-based Internet service provider, said the limited build-out now planned for 2007 is tremendous economic news, in an e-mail to the Columbia Basin Herald. The PUD's network is one of the primary reasons he's building his online business in Grant County.
"Far too many (Grant) County parents raise their children here only to see them leave because there aren't enough good jobs available," Highland noted. "I commend the commission's conservative, but forward-thinking decision."
The commissioners dropped the existing telecommunications "stand pat" policy in January, directing staff members to investigate available fiber-optic technologies and financial options for expansion of the PUD's wholesale fiber-optic network.
During the PUD's ongoing investigation, the commissioners and staff members are considering non-PUD expertise to educate themselves regarding technical options for the utility.
PUD officials heard from independent contractor J.R. Simmons, from COMgroup Incorporated. He walked the commissioners through different broadband network architectures in early April. Simmons discussed fiber-optic networks, wireless networks and hybrid networks.
PUD officials also listened to Warren Miller, telecom manager at Okanogan County PUD and 37-year veteran in the telecommunications industry.
Warren discussed the business plan Okanogan County PUD developed for its network.
The next discussion on Grant County PUD's network is scheduled for June 25, during the commissioner's regular meeting.