Broadband
The City of Rexburg is embarking on an upgrade to its communication infrastructure by installing over 20 miles of fiber optic cable throughout the city in order to link city facilities and assets. This new fiber optic communication infrastructure will allow the city to securely monitor and access buildings, security cameras, and other remote assets in real time. This ability will allow the City to be more efficient in delivering services, reduce down times and allow City employees to be more productive. This backbone will serve as the base of the entire network and is designed for redundancy to the internet and doesn't fail if fiber lines accidentally get cut. The network is also being "future-proofed" so that the infrastructure will be able to handle demand as we grow as a community.
Once the backbone is completed, Residents and Businesses will be able to use the fiber network for high-speed internet services through a variety of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that utilize the fiber network, much like how UPS, USPS, FedEx, and other delivery companies use public roads. The City of Rexburg built this infrastructure network to allow open-access for ISPs to provide their services.
Be watching in the coming months for more information.
How the fiber installation process works
Crews are working in the area, installing a fiber-optic network for the City of Rexburg (to be known as Lightbridge Community Broadband), part of the Rexburg Municipal Fiber Ring. You’ll see utility locations in your area marking all underground utilities. These locate marks will dissipate and fade away over time. Both the locator flags and marks are vital in protecting existing facilities.
Fiber optic cable will primarily be installed using two methods: directional boring, and open trenching. Directional boring is used because it has the least impact on existing landscaping and hardscape (driveways, asphalt, sidewalks, etc.) Open trenching will most likely be utilized in areas that have not been developed such as fields or empty lots.
Periodically handholes, or utility boxes, will be installed along the fiber route. These are to allow for access to the fiber. These handholes will be installed underground with their lids at the finished grade (at ground level). These handholes are very sturdy; they can handle the weight of a vehicle.
The contractors will repair damage caused by installing the cable along the fiber route. The contractor will bore under paved driveways and other hard surfaces. Damage will be repaired as soon as the conduit is laid and the fiber is pulled. We’ll work as quickly and safely as possible to minimize any inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding during this process.
If you have any questions during the construction process please contact: Silver Star Communications at 208-372-1212 or visit https://lightbridgefiber.net/
Phases
Partnering with Silver Star
Future-proofing rural communities: Silver Star partners with the City of Rexburg to deliver the Lightbridge Community Broadband Network providing access to competitive fiber optic internet service for residents of the City of Rexburg
Silver Star Communications and the Rexburg City Council have reached an agreement that will transform the way residents of the City of Rexburg receive internet service. Through private/public cooperation, Silver Star will invest in and operate the Lightbridge Community Broadband Network and will provide ongoing operation, expert maintenance, and future expansion on a privately funded open-access network.
Mayor Jerry Merrill explains the motivation behind the agreement. “For over a decade, it has been our desire to bring high-speed internet service to our residents. We began our project last year by building a ring of fiber around the city to connect all city assets. Our hope was to then partner with a private entity who would use private investment to create an open-access network that would get fiber from that ring to locations within city limits. We were thrilled to learn that Silver Star had a similar vision and has committed to make that infrastructure available to other internet service providers so that residents will have a competitive choice in who they receive internet from. We are also very excited about the speed at which Silver Star will be able to deploy this fiber project.”
Traditionally, non-profit groups and local municipalities deployed open-access networks to bring more choice or better connectivity to their constituents. Silver Star, a company with deep roots in the region and proven 10-gig network successes in other Idaho and Wyoming communities, is committed to an open-access model in Rexburg, which will increase market diversity and encourage competitive service pricing. Silver Star’s innovative business model delivers the same advantages as a public network but through private investment rather than tax funding.
“We believe the future of rural networks is an open-access approach that will allow residents to have a choice in providers,” explains Barbara Sessions, President of Silver Star. “We are proud to push the boundaries of our industry’s traditional business model. We also believe this model can be replicated in many other areas in our state."
The advantages will be significant for the City of Rexburg, shifting technical responsibility for the network to Silver Star and freeing up resources for other public projects. Residents will benefit from the enhanced economic opportunity, increased property values, and improved quality of life that dependable, affordable, high-speed internet access brings.
Silver Star Communications is committed to providing the highest quality internet services to its customers, and the company’s commitment to the Lightbridge Community Broadband Network is another example of the company's dedication to innovation and customer service.
Residents who have already signed up to participate on the Lightbridge Network will not be required to do anything more, but they will notice more favorable pricing under this arrangement. Residents are encouraged to go to www.lightbridgefiber.net to sign up or to learn more.