June 7, 2006 Chelan County, WA -- Chelan County Public Utility District's fiber-optic network is now the largest open-access, fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network in Washington state, with services available to more than 15,000 homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, and government offices.
Chelan County's fiber network showcases public and private entities working together to construct and provide advanced broadband services to this underserved rural area. Chelan County, located in North Central Washington, is almost 3,000 square miles and includes the communities of Leavenworth, Lake Chelan, Wenatchee, and Cashmere.
Local retail service providers offer their customers a choice for telephone, high-speed Internet, and basic and high-definition television (HDTV) over the PUD's fiber network, which they began offering at the end of last year. End-users on the network continue to grow, with more than 3,700 choosing to take advantage of the advanced fiber-optic network through local service providers.
Some 15,000 addresses now have fiber services available with 500 new addresses being added every month. The PUD says it plans to reach 75% of
the county by 2008.
"The District's continuing investment in the fiber network provides our community the tools it needs to grow," contends John Smith, PUD networks director. "Residential, industrial, health care, and commercial users are all seeing new opportunities to learn, create quality jobs, provide access to world class health care, and improve the ability of local businesses to compete in a global marketplace," he adds.
Chelan County PUD serves some 40,000 customers with critical utility services including low-cost power, water, sewer, and now--through local service providers--affordable high-speed fiber access.