Customers to be asked about PUD fiber system

EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD will be conducting surveys and sponsoring a couple of community meetings to get the opinion of customers on the fiber network, and what customers think should happen next.

The network was a subject of extensive discussion at a mid-February workshop for the PUD commissioners. Additional public input is the next phase of an effort to figure out the next phase of the fiber system.

Andrew Munro, of Grant PUD, outlined the communication plan at the regular commission meeting Tuesday, an effort that will last through May. The information from the workshop and the public meetings will be used by commissioners when they decide where the fiber program goes from here.

Currently the fiber network covers about 70 percent of Grant County. Most of the remaining 30 percent is in the rural areas.

Munro said the PUD will convene some focus groups, talking to customers who live in areas without fiber. They also will talk to customers who are using fiber, and people who live in areas with fiber but who aren’t using it.

A phone survey is planned, probably in April, along with an online survey at the PUD website. “The third component is going to be at least probably two public meetings.” They will allow customers to review the options and ask questions about the program. Utility district employees also will be asked for their input.

Commissioner Larry Schaapman asked about the wireless program. The wireless program is intended as a supplement to the in-ground fiber, providing higher-speed service to people who don’t have access to fiber.

Munro said the current wireless system is still in operation but hasn’t been expanded. General manager Kevin Nordt said the PUD stopped expanding the system about last June.

Utility district administrators commissioned a study of the fiber system and its financial projections and got the results at the workshop.

According to the study, staying with the current system would generate enough money to keep the program in the black in 20 years and 30 years. But it wouldn’t generate enough to pay back the initial investment or pay interest. The system loses money when the fiber system is built out, either over five years or 10 years. The system also loses money when the PUD builds a mix of fiber and wireless.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.