Construction set to begin June 1 for county’s broadband internet infrastructure

Aug 30, 2023

COLUMBUS, Ind. — With high-level design work completed, construction is set to begin June 1 on a broadband internet infrastructure that will eventually serve 11,845 homes in rural locations outside Columbus.

If all goes as expected, at least 100 homes could be receiving the service in October, Bartholomew County Commissioners Chairman Tony London said.

One year ago this month, a bid from Meridiam Infrastructure North America Corp. of New York City was chosen by the Bartholomew County commissioners over a proposal from AT&T to provide the county-subsidized high-speed internet service.

After analysis, a consultant stated Meridiam's proposal would reach 3,993 more rural homes than AT&T. In terms of land coverage, the Hoosier Fiber Networks would provide fiber optics to 65,489 rural acres, compared to 17,088 acres offed by AT&T.

In September 2022, the Bartholomew County Council agreed to approve a tax abatement for Hoosier Fiber Networks. Once the tax break was approved, six-months were spent on designing and engineering by Hoosier Fiber Networks, a subsidiary of Meridiam.

On Monday, Hoosier Fiber Networks interim CEO Clint Wiley said the infrastructure will include 1 million feet of aerial fiber optic cable, while a half-million feet is being set aside for underground distribution.

Wiley's company has made an application to Bartholomew County REMC to upgrade 1,100 utility poles so each will be capable of handling the high-speed fiber lines. The plan is to use about 700 Duke Energy poles as well, while Hoosier Fiber Networks has about one-thousand of their own utility poles prepared where needed, Wiley said.

On May 15, Bartholomew County will begin requesting permits for putting up the infrastructure. On June 1, construction will begin on underground placement of the cable, while the aerial work will get underway on Sept. 1, Wiley said.

For the complete story, see Tuesday's Republic.