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Connects Fiber pitches citywide high‑speed option; staff to review franchise agreement
Summary
A Connects/Connex Fiber representative presented a proposed high‑speed fiber network to the Uintah City Council, outlining equipment footprints, service pricing and a request that staff and legal review a franchise agreement for possible action at the next meeting.
A representative introduced to the council as Joel (speaker S3) presented Connects/Connex Fiber’s proposed high‑speed fiber network and asked the council to consider a franchise agreement to authorize construction in city rights‑of‑way.
Joel described the physical footprint required for the network — a single “active cabinet” (about 3.5 by 7 feet and 4.5 feet above grade) typically serving around 1,500 homes, multiple tier‑3 vaults serving roughly 120 homes each, and drop vaults or aerial drops sited near property lines. He said some parts of Uintah can be served aerially while others will require underground conduit and private easements where public utility easements are not recorded.
On pricing, Joel said residential service options he presented include 250 Mbps at $35, 500 Mbps at $50 and 1 Gbps at $65 per month, with a typical customer bill of about $55. He said residential installation is currently offered free and that commercial service generally starts near $99–$100 depending on site work. “We’ve already made about a $15,000 investment just by surveying and actually submitting applications,” Joel said, describing pole inspections and permitting fees paid to Rocky Mountain Power.
Council members asked about reliability in windy conditions and pole clearances. Joel noted Rocky Mountain Power determines pole placements and clearances and that Connex will go underground where overhead placement is constrained; he also said some pole inspections and permits have already been approved. The chair (S2) and Joel both clarified the project would not cost the city money and that residents would pay only if they subscribe.
City staff noted they have a boilerplate franchise agreement used in other cities and will review the draft with public works and legal before placing a recommendation on a future agenda. “If you decide you want me to have a franchise, have it ready for the next meeting,” one council member said; staff indicated they will review and return with a recommendation.
