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Pryor Creek council hears Blue Peak plan for citywide fiber; approves first reading of franchise ordinance
Summary
Representatives from Clarity Telecom LLC (doing business as Blue Peak) presented a proposal to build a roughly 4,700–4,800-rooftop fiber network in Pryor Creek, promising minimum 1 Gbps symmetrical service and a 5% video franchise fee; council approved the ordinancefirst reading and discussed timeline, fees and publication requirements.
Desi Stoops, a Blue Peak representative, told the Pryor Creek City Council on Nov. 18 that his company plans to build a fiber broadband network that would pass roughly 4,700 to 4,800 homes in and around the city and offer minimum symmetrical 1 gigabit-per-second service. “Minimum speed is 1 gig, and it’s truly symmetrical service, upload and download,” Stoops said, and described residential plans that include 1 Gbps for $55, 2 Gbps for $75 and 5 Gbps for $100 per month.
Stoops, who identified himself as with Clarity Telecom LLC d/b/a Blue Peak, said the company anticipates a roughly $7 million–$8 million capital investment to build the network and would use a mix of aerial attachments to existing municipal poles and underground construction. He said Blue Peak would pay a pole-attachment fee (discussed at $12 per attachment per year) and the 5% franchise fee on video services that the Federal Communications Commission allows. “We want this to be a real win-win,” Stoops said, adding the company would provide phased service so neighborhoods could get service as they are built.
Council members pressed for details about local staffing, timeline and the legal process for a franchise. Stoops said the company expects crews to start constructability work within about 60 days after approvals and that the first neighborhoods could be lit and in service by July 1, with the broader build completed within about 12 months after construction begins.
City staff and the city attorney discussed whether Pryor Creek’s charter would require voter approval of a franchise. The city attorney reported he reviewed federal cable franchising law and a relevant court decision and said federal law preempts parts of older local charter requirements for cable franchising. Council discussed publishing requirements and a pending court action involving a local newspaper’s qualification to publish legal notices; staff said the city would coordinate its ordinance schedule with the outcome of that court action and the city’s publication options.
The council voted to approve the ordinance (first reading) granting a nonexclusive permit to Clarity Telecom LLC d/b/a Blue Peak to construct and operate a cable system, allowing the company to proceed with engineering and procurement activities; the ordinance requires additional readings before becoming effective. Council members noted the ordinance still requires ministerial steps (pole-attachment agreements, separate permits and subsequent readings) before full operation.
Next steps: the ordinance proceeds through the council's required readings and the city will coordinate public notice timing with staff and the city attorney. Blue Peak representatives said they will continue engineering diligence and coordinate with city public works on construction notifications and scheduling.
