January 28, 2022

The following is an excerpt from an announcement made by The Broadband Group:

The Broadband Group and Colorado Springs Utilities recently announced the launch of one of the largest fiber networks of its kind for a municipally owned utility. This announcement represents the culmination of more than a year of planning between Colorado Springs Utilities and The Broadband Group. Throughout the process, The Broadband Group has provided strategic financial planning (led by Britehorn Partners), network design, regulatory analysis and feasibility studies to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.

Colorado Springs Utilities is the latest and largest community-owned utility to implement The Broadband Group’s Utility Lease Model™ — a strategy that has already successfully delivered citywide fiber expansions in Alabama and Missouri. The Broadband Group’s Utility Lease Model funds citywide expansion of advanced fiber infrastructure for utility operations without increasing rates for utility customers. The cost of the utility’s investment is significantly offset by a non-exclusive lease of excess bandwidth in the fiber network to an Internet Service Provider that delivers gigabit Internet to residents and businesses.

The enhanced citywide fiber network will allow Colorado Springs Utilities to better serve its customers and equip it for the requirements of the future. At the same time, it will provide a broadband network with full city coverage to ensure that every corner of Colorado Springs has access to high-speed Internet. Upon completion, the citywide fiber network is expected to surpass more than 200,000 addresses, bringing modern fiber infrastructure to all of Colorado Springs Utilities’ customers.

“Our core mission is to provide best-in-class utilities that meet the needs of our thriving community,” said Colorado Springs Utilities CEO Aram Benyamin. “Fundamental to our utility services is next-generation fiber connectivity. This non-exclusive network will provide the foundation for a prosperous and smart city of the future.”