November 2020 Vol. 75 No. 11
Newsline
Traverse City Utility Builds out New Fiber Network
Traverse City Light & Power (TCL&P) has launched its new fiber broadband network which will include installation of nearly 15 miles of cable through the city, with the majority of that 79,000 feet installed underground.
The idea for the utility to build its own network was hatched several years ago, growing out of a $1.8 million partnership the TCL&P entered with the Traverse City Area Public Schools to construct a dark fiber network in the community. Several organizations are currently connected to this network. Another partnership followed between the Downtown Development Authority and TCL&P to offer free Wi-Fi downtown.
The company began construction in September 2019, but the city has a moratorium on construction in the right-of-way (ROW) from November to April. TCL&P told Underground Construction it plans to finalize the core construction this month and complete the remaining portion as soon as possible.
The initial rollout will serve 1,900 customers with additional connectivity to come in the future.
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