Fairlawn, OH, looking for gigabit broadband partners

The City of Fairlawn, OH, has launched a request for proposals (RFP) for assistance with its planned FairlawnGig broadband access network project. The goal of the project is to create and implement a new municipal broadband utility through which residents, businesses, and visitors within the City of Fairlawn and the Akron-Fairlawn-Bath Township Joint Economic Development District can receive wireless and fiber-optic broadband Internet services.

The city seeks partners to design, build, operate, manage, and maintain the city-owned FairlawnGig utility, which will deploy both a fiber to the premises (FTTP) network and a carrier-grade Wi-Fi network. The project will be funded via private financing and revenues from operations, which means no new taxes or other assessments for residents and businesses. The FTTP network will be open to multiple service providers.

The deadline for proposals is April 30, 2015.

The Fairlawn City Council unanimously approved the issuance of the RFP February 9. "I thank the City Council for their foresight in approving this ordinance," said Fairlawn Mayor William J. Roth, Jr, via a press release. "Broadband internet access is an essential utility for the 21st century. Through this initiative we will bring world-class Internet services to all residents and businesses of Fairlawn."

Those interested in the RFP can find more information at www.FairlawnGig.info.

For more information on FTTx equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.