SiFi Networks is mobilizing its teams to commence deployment of the East Hartford FiberCity® project according to the company’s announcement August 29.
Monday town leaders will welcome SiFi executives and state economic development officials to the town’s senior center to officially roll out the news locally.
“The network will be a tremendous asset for our community, enabling Internet service providers to deliver gigabit internet, TV and phone service to residents and businesses throughout East Hartford and connecting low-income residents with reliable and affordable broadband with the goal of bridging the digital divide,” stated Mayor Marcia Leclerc in the August announcement.
The East Hartford Town Council approved the local fiber internet concept in October, 2017 when former Finance Director Mike Walsh promoted it, and have been waiting since to see construction begin. As explained at the time, ‘mini trenches’ will be cut into town roads and the fiber strung through drainpipes until all 250 miles of East Hartford streets are connected. Fast-forward to 2021 and Walsh, after a stint at the state Office of Policy and Management where he prepared a plan to save $1 billion in state expenditures, is now the leading contender for the seat held by his former boss at Town Hall as Leclerc declined to run for another term. In his campaign Walsh touted the benefits of the fiber optic infrastructure, and argued for setting aside $4.5 million at budget time in March for projects such as town-wide internet connectivity.
The privately-funded, 10 gig enabled, open access fiber network will then “help to close the digital divide” in a state town that, while densely populated lacks high-speed connectivity for all.
The company and town administrators contend that the town “will benefit hugely” from the network, which will boost economic development, enable growth of existing businesses and attract new ones to East Hartford.
“The network will also enable the town to take advantage of Smart City applications to help them achieve their long-term objectives and make the town a great place to live, work and play,” stated the announcement. “The network’s open access credentials enable multiple service providers to connect to deliver their service. The town will only ever need this network, eradicating the need for other infrastructures to be built.”
Construction of the network will be completed in 2023 with the first customers going live in 2022, says SiFi officials. There will be multiple service providers, with the first internet service provider accessing the network being Flume Internet, who has been carefully selected to deliver internet services to residents and businesses at competitive prices and with exceptional customer service.
Flume plans to offer service at a discount to up to 3,000 qualifying homes. The monthly subscription costs were not stated in the press release. Flume is a gigabit internet service provider currently operating in New York City and parts of LA. This will equip the most needing households with access to the superfast network, providing life changing opportunity such as better job prospects and educational resources, not to mention helping to close the digital divide within the town, something SiFi Networks say they are passionate about.
“Flume is eager to launch its services in East Hartford and cannot wait for the fiber building to commence. We believe that East Hartford residents are going to love the gigabit speeds and premium WiFi management through our app and SMS experience. We thank the town and SiFi Networks for being great partners with us in this initiative” Said Prashanth Vijay, CEO of Flume Internet.
SiFi Networks is currently constructing two FiberCity® networks on the west coast in Fullerton and Placentia, CA. On the east coast, SiFi is due to commence construction in Salem, MA and funds have also been approved to commence a FiberCity® network in Saratoga Springs, NY.
“We’re thrilled to be moving forward to mobilize our teams in East Hartford. I would like to thank the town of East Hartford for its enthusiasm and shared vision to help make this project happen” commented Ben Bawtree-Jobson, CEO SiFi Networks.
Customers in East Hartford are being invited to pre-register for service with Flume, East Hartford’s new internet service provider, at www.flumeinternet.com.
To find out more about East Hartford FiberCity® please visit www.easthartfordfibercity.com
