CENTENNIAL, C0 —The Centennial City Council has committed to moving forward with Phase II of the city’s fiber initiative. Phase II includes the design of a complete fiber optic backbone and establishing strategic goals about how to best use this backbone.
With existing budget, the city will hire a consultant to design a fiber optic backbone which will complete the limited infrastructure already in place for traffic signals. Hiring a consultant will ensure the city has the necessary technical support to design and estimate costs for a backbone and also determine the feasibility of all opportunities available to the City. Identifying opportunities for the backbone will help the City establish strategic goals which may include supporting connectivity and service options for:
- Enhancing and improving the city’s own network, e.g. greatly enhanced broadband to the Civic Center, connecting all of our facilities; and
- Becoming more partner ready,
- Providing a communications network for public safety, and educational purposes;
- Supporting broadband connectivity and service options for residents; and
- Supporting broadband and connectivity options for the business community.
Late last year the city launched Phase I of its fiber optic initiative. As part of this initial phase, the city hired a consultant — NewCom Technologies – to conduct a city-wide survey and inventory existing fiber optic assets to identify opportunities the city may wish to pursue using the fiber optics already in place.
Earlier this month NewCom Technologies presented City Council a report which included results, opinions and recommendations based on their findings. The Phase 1 report concludes that to move forward with any of the recommended approaches, further development of the City’s fiber optic backbone required.
“It is very clear in the report, provided by NewCom, that if the city wants to do anything with the fiber infrastructure already in place, we must complete the backbone,” says C.J. Whelan, District 4 Council Member. “That being said, I look forward to the results of the design of the backbone and learning more about opportunities to improve service to our businesses and residents. Once the design is complete Council will discuss next steps.”
