CENTENNIAL, CO — The City of Centennial and Avata Networks have signed a fiber lease agreement along the central ring of Centennial’s fiber optic backbone. Avata Networks will be leasing one pair of fibers along more than 12,000 feet of City-owned fiber network. The initial focus of Avata Networks will be to serve the City’s central businesses with enhanced gigabit speed internet.
“In just six months, the City has leases with two internet service providers, the Cherry Creek School District and SEAKR Engineering providing them the opportunity to create their own fiber connections and realize some of the benefits fiber connectivity can provide,” says Mayor Stephanie Piko. “We look forward to continuing this positive momentum which will benefit Centennial residents and businesses.”
“We are excited to begin building last mile infrastructure throughout the City of Centennial and by leasing fibers from the City’s backbone it gives us the ability to accelerate our network turnup,” says Brian Snider, Avata’s executive director. “We plan on starting construction in the spring of 2019 and to lease more capacity as our network expands across the City.” Avata Networks is a technological infrastructure company that invests in, owns, and operates open access FTTX networks.
Implementing the Fiber Master Plan
In 2016, City Council allocated $5.7 million to implement the City’s fiber master plan and build a 432-fiber strand backbone through the City. The implementation of the first phase, known as the central fiber ring, began in late 2016 and included the installation of conduit and fiber through the central region of the City and was completed in early 2018. The approximately 50-mile fiber backbone, throughout the City, is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2018 and will connect and complete the City’s underground infrastructure, connecting to key City sites and other community anchor institutions. Centennial’s backbone will also enable both existing and new broadband providers the ability to execute dark fiber leases with the City to deliver superior and more competitive choices and services for consumers.
For more information about the City’s FiberWorks program, visit centennialco.gov/fiber.
