Fort Collins to consider city broadband service to boost Internet speeds

By: InnovatioNews Wednesday September 3, 2014 0 comments Tags: broadband, Darin Atteberry, Fort Collins

 

FORT COLLINS - The City of Fort Collins will consider the possibility of boosting its telecommunications capabilities through a Broadband Strategic Plan proposal in the 2015-16 city manager's recommended budget.

City Manager Darin Atteberry announced the proposal in a letter published in the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

Atteberry said the proposal is in response to citizen comments about slow Internet speeds in the city and new, next-generation high-speed Internet services becoming available across the nation.

"If approved by City Council, this funding will be used to evaluate case studies of other municipal broadband services, gather feedback from the community and explore different service options, including various public-private partnerships as well as offering broadband as a new utility service throughout the city."

Atteberry said the potential investment could have "huge implications" for Fort Collins.

"This strategic process will research the immediate and potential long-range value of advanced broadband service to the community," Atteberry said. "It's important to learn what other communities have done and what lessons can be gleaned from their experiences."

Atteberry said if the study reveals community support for more direct city involvement in broadband service, the proposal may be added to the 2016 city ballot.