The Fiber-to-the-Home Council and the Telecommunications Industry Association have announced an updated list of U.S. Optical Fiber Communities, with the total rising to 128 communities in 32 states.
Prepared by Render, Vanderslice & Associates and TeleChoice, the list tracks communities nationwide that are delivering broadband services to customers through Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) solutions. Thirty six communities representing a cross-section of America were added to the list, including Indian Head, PA; Jackson, TN; St. Marys, Ohio; Joshua, Texas; Holiway, MN; Clovis, NM; Jamestown, N.D.; Gypsum, CO; Scio, OR; and Phoenix, AZ. The list shows that FTTH deployments continue to be driven by municipalities, competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) and new residential developments.
The new analysis shows a significant increase in FTTH subscribers, with average subscriber take rates exceeding 40% overall and more than 75% in some communities.
In the new FTTH community in Jackson, TN, Jackson Energy Authority is building a 658-mile optical fiber network. A public private collaboration, the authority provides customers with cable television and has partnered with local Internet service providers (ISPs) and CLECs to offer high-speed Internet, telephone and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services. Jackson began service this April with 350 customers and plans to complete construction to pass 26,000 homes within the next 18 months.
"We have just started our marketing efforts and are very excited by the high take rates," says Kim Kersey, senior vice president of telecommunications for JEA. "Customers are thrilled by the capabilities of this system."
In St. Marys, Ohio, local exchange carrier TSC has overbuilt the pre-existing copper network to provide high-speed Internet, telephone and cable television service to this city of approximately 9,000 people. Since launching its FTTH network in St. Marys, TSC has experienced a 75% subscriber rate.
"This technology offers the most advanced communications in the world," says St. Marys Mayor Greg Freewalt. "We are confident it will help attract new businesses to our community."
The Fiber-to-the-Home Council is based in Washington, DC. For more information visit
www.tiaonline.org.
