Grant PUD details Internet rate increases

Proposal not yet approved

EPHRATA - Internet service providers using Grant County PUD's fiber-optic system could be given between 90 to 180 days advance notice before connection fees are increased.

The proposal mostly affects future Internet customers with a proposed fee of $55 for installation and an increased port fee of $3 for the first port, said PUD Project Specialist Warren Miller during a commission meeting this week.

The proposal hasn't been approved by commissioners, but PUD Customer Service Director Tony Webb said he would like the proposal OK'd by commissioners in the next three weeks.

Current Internet customers would likely see a $4 monthly increase on their bills, according to information discussed during a staff presentation.

Miller said the power supply connection fee of $55 for new customers was "a big hurdle. But, "I do believe it's more palatable than $125 plus $55," he said.

The proposal comes as the utility plans to spend $50 million over five years to bring high-speed Internet to 15,000 more homes and businesses in Grant County.

Their vote came after a two-year halt to expanding the fiber-optic network for more study on the matter.

Before the build-out stopped, the PUD installed the necessary equipment - the gateway - for free at homes and businesses, according to the utility.

The utility doesn't want to subsidize the operations and maintenance of the program.

Commissioner Bob Bernd said he thought it was important to watch how many customers sign up for Internet after the fees were implemented and possibly "tweak" the proposal.

Commissioner Terry Brewer said he would like to see the utility give providers more notice out of courtesy for the customers. He mentioned two 90-day notice periods as a possibility.

Brewer also said he viewed the proposal as a warranted move on the utility's part to meet the business plan.

Commissioner Randy Allred mentioned the possibility of having two notice periods of 45 days each.

During preliminary discussions earlier this year between the utility and service providers, it was initially mentioned that it could cost $150 for new customers to sign up for Internet.

Some providers said they feared such a large increase would put them out of business and prevent new customers from signing up for the service.