County staff reports fiber build progress: 2,030 serviceable passings after GigaBeam and AEP work
Summary
County staff reported GigaBeam and AEP fiber construction progress: 1,320 serviceable passings from one grant area, 7.5 miles of new fiber, and a total of about 2,030 serviceable passings across projects; final splicing and testing remain weather-dependent.
County staff reported progress on multiple broadband builds, saying GigaBeam and AEP have completed major fiber segments and that final splicing and testing remain subject to weather and operational sequencing.
A staff presenter said one project area required 1,292 required passings for the grant and that there are now 1,320 serviceable passings in that area. Staff said the work added roughly 7.5 miles of new fiber and that build mileage numbers in their materials increased from 283 to about 293 miles for a 2022 project area; combined across projects, staff said there are about 2,030 total active or serviceable passings.
The presenter summarized AEP updates: Limelight Childress and Plum Creek Edgemont routes were reported complete and other routes were in progress. Staff and the providers explained to the board why residents sometimes see fiber in place for months without immediate service—pieces of the network are installed in phases and final splicing and testing connect elements to produce active service.
Staff said GigaBeam performed peak-hour speed tests recently and that providers aim to have their fiber in place in the coming months with splicing and testing to follow, weather permitting. A board member encouraged residents to sign up for service when it becomes available.
No board action was taken; this was an informational update.
