Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) this week announced its entry into a partnership with Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency (UTOPIA) Fiber to assist in the development and operation of reliable, affordable high-speed internet infrastructure in rural California.
The new partnership will bolster the efforts of GSCA to bridge the divide in internet access across its 38 rural member counties, through the deployment of an open-access, municipal broadband fiber network. GSCA said it is currently identifying project locations in rural California for installation of broadband fiber networks, beginning with select initial locations and then expanding to additional project areas.
These projects will utilize an open-access municipal broadband model, under which multiple internet service providers use the same publicly owned high-speed network to provide a range of services to homes and businesses. As contended by the partners, this arrangement enables increased competition among internet service providers and greater assurance of affordability for consumers.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) initiating the partnership was approved by the GSCA board of directors on March 25, and the UTOPIA Fiber Board on April 11. The MOU considers that UTOPIA Fiber will provide administrative services for GSCA’s proposed broadband networks, "utilizing their vast experience building and operating similar open-access, municipal networks in other locations in the nation."
“UTOPIA Fiber has proven itself...with demonstrated expertise in establishing and operating an open-access network that invites internet service providers to compete for customers, resulting in price and speed choices for consumers,” said GSCA board chair and Calaveras County supervisor, Jack Garamendi. “GSCA looks forward to building upon the knowledge and experience of UTOPIA Fiber and working together to advance internet access across rural California.”
UTOPIA Fiber is an interlocal agency owned by 11 Utah cities that joined together in 2002 to build, deploy, and operate a fiber-to-the-premises network to every business and household within their communities. Since 2009, UTOPIA Fiber and its affiliated organization Utah Infrastructure Agency, have designed, built, and operated nearly $400 million worth of open-access fiber projects in 19 Utah cities at no cost to taxpayers. The agency has also secured operational partnerships in Idaho and Montana to expand high-speed broadband access in parts of those states.
“The economic and social benefits of connecting communities to high-speed broadband are significant and UTOPIA Fiber is pleased to partner with GSCA to bring desperately-needed service to California’s rural communities,” commented Roger Timmerman, executive director, UTOPIA Fiber. “This partnership will help change the lives of millions of Californians, providing modern-day connectivity to residents and businesses who will be able to fully participate in the digital economy and enjoy a higher quality-of-life. Not only does high-speed broadband enable remote working, learning, and telehealth, it also provides the infrastructure needed to power better wireless coverage and advanced precision agriculture—and that’s just the beginning. We’re very excited for what’s to come,” he added.
For additional information, resources, and updates about GSCA visit www.goldenstateconnect.org. Information regarding UTOPIA Fiber, including areas of operation and services provided, is available at www.utopiafiber.com.