Gigabit Squared buys conduit from Zayo for Seattle FTTH project

Gigabit Squared, a digital economic development corporation targeting the development of broadband access networks across the U.S., says it has kicked off deployment of its planned Seattle fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) project with the purchase of conduit and other assets from Zayo Group. Gigabit Squared will use the conduit, which runs throughout the city from the northeast to the southwest, to deploy the backbone fiber-optic cable for its network.

The deal, which Gigabit Squared described as “a multi-million dollar investment,” will help the company more effectively use excess fiber capacity Gigabit Squared plans to lease from the City of Seattle.

Gigabit Squared, the City of Seattle, and the University of Washington announced the FTTP project last December. The effort will see the deployment of an FTTP fiber-optic network that will support broadband speeds of 1 Gbps. The partners plan a demonstration fiber project in 14 neighborhoods, augmented with wireless connections to other parts of the city. Residents will be able to sign up for the gigabit service for $80 a month on a one-year contract. Slower service tiers, including a 5-Mbps/1-Mbps service that will be free for 60 months, will also be offered.

"This agreement moves us many steps closer to activating service in the Seattle communities," explained Mark Ansboury, president of Gigabit Squared. "We're thrilled to be able to partner with Zayo to bring limitless possibilities to Seattle.

"We encourage residents to visit our www.gigabitseattle.com/signup page to show their interest in gigabit-speed service whether inside or outside of the 14 communities previously announced," Ansboury added.

"Seattle is one of the first communities for development and Zayo will work with Gigabit Squared to enable other communities in the future," said Matt Erickson, president of fiber and infrastructure at Zayo Group.

It may be one of the first communities, but it isn’t the first in which Gigabit Squared has partnered with Zayo. The two firms are working together on another FTTH project in Chicago (see "Zayo to supply backbone fiber for Gigabit Squared in Chicago”).

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