City of Idaho Falls Fiber Optic Network

Jackie FlowersGeneral Manager

Mark Reed Fiber Optic Project Manager

Monday, July 30, 2007 Community & ED Conference Portland, Oregon

Idaho Falls – At a Glance

Southeastern Idaho boasts a concentration of environmental and technology based companies.

Located in Idaho Technology Corridor.

Rich scientific climate - four universities, Department of Energy/Idaho National Laboratory.

Regional medical community.

Large commercial businesses with multiple buildings.

Population: 52,000+ 2% growth rate23,467 Electric Customers.

Cities Traditionally ProvideInfrastructure & Services

• Traditional Infrastructure Needed for Growth

Roads, Airports, Railroads, Water, Sewer, Electric, Gas

• New Essential Infrastructure for Global Competitiveness

Fiber Optic Broadband Infrastructure

• Services Benefiting from Advanced Communication InfrastructurePolice, Fire, Water Supply, Wastewater Treatment,

Electric Generation & Delivery, Schools, Traffic,

Hospitals, General Government

Current data indicates more than 300 cities in the U.S. are pursuing some form of municipal Broadband program.

665 public power systems offer community broadband services

175 public power systems lease fiber

Broadband Needs

• Expected bandwidth need per average household is projected at 10-40 Mb

Contrasting Options

Fiber• No up or down limitations• Virtually unlimited

bandwidth: 1.5 Mb up to 10.0 Gb available

• Capable of carrying high bandwidth signal long distances

Copper for DSL/dial up/ cable modem• Bandwidth limited• 1.5 Mb (standard in our area

- 20.0 Mb (DSL/cable)• 56K (dial up)• Up/down limitations• Distance limited

Wireless via WiFi• Bandwidth limited• 10.0 Mb• Reliability challenges• Security challenges

History of Circa Network

FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 - 2006

•Business Planning

•Network Design

•Phase I Construction

•Fiber lease offered to business & service providers

•Phase II Construction

•Distribution Plan

•Phase III Construction

•Fiber Ordinance

•11/05 construction complete

•Full operation

FY 1999

•Joint City/County Project

•4 miles to connect

Jail

Courthouse

Water Dept

FY 2007

•Branding

•Marketing

•Expansion

Deciding to Proceed

• Preserve ROW• Reduce demand for pole space• Cost savings to the City• Value added “service”• Economic Development tool• More/better broadband service potential in an

emerging global economy• Foster competition among providers

Network Development

• Service Providers & Businesseso Stated a need for dark fiber to create their own

business network.o Indicated this service was not currently available from

established telecommunication companies.

• Assessed 3 scenarios: point-to-point network for City purposes, ring point-to-point with dark fiber, fully lit MCCN.

Why “Dark Fiber”?

• More than one successfully operating IP provider in existence during planning phase;

• IP providers were not interested in competing with municipality;

• More expensive/larger program if City provides services;

• Desire to preserve ROW defeated point in becoming a “service” provider.

Backbone Description

• Idaho Falls City limits~ 17 square miles

• ~ 50 miles of backbone fiber

• ~ 50 miles of distribution fiber

• Redundant rings

• 96 strand backbone

• 96 percent overhead

Costs

• Total construction of three ring backbone $2.7 million.

• Circa repaying electric utility for cost.• Circa is exceeding initial business plan

estimates for revenue.• Price based on operating costs – not for profit.• Distribution drops to businesses paid by

customer.

Benefits to City Government• Develop IP based phone system for all

City buildingsoCost savingso Increased efficiency & reliability

• Video arraignment

• WiFi network for emergency services

• Hydroelectric plants and substationsoRedundant and more reliable SCADAoWeb camera monitoring

• Remote training capability

Circa “Service”

• City provides infrastructure not service• Broadband of 1 gigabit and beyond!• City retains 18 backbone pairs for internal

operation• Currently leasing 15 backbone pairs,

(out of possible 30)• Five commercial service providers• More than 150 distribution drops• Seven direct business customers

Value to “leasing a pair”

• Virtually unlimited bandwidth capability

• Secure data

• Dedicated line

• Multiple building connectivity

• To serve customers

• More direct lease customers than originally anticipated

Annexing for Service

• Circa service is restricted to City limits

• Nitrocision – high tech companyo International web based presentationsoNeed for reliable, high speed serviceo Building outside City limits – annexed

• Woodland FurnitureoCustom furniture design over internetoNeed for high speed/bandwidtho Building outside City limits - annexed

Enhancing Business Capability – Mountain View Hospital

• Lease pair to interconnect medical facilities in various locations throughout town:oHospital FacilityoWomen’s Care CenteroUrgent Care (West Side Emergency Room)oOrthopedic Center

High Tech Application – INL/DOE

• Had a mini-fiber system on campus

• Post 9/11 – reliability/security concerns

• Needed redundancy

• 8 facilities in City-limits

• Lease 4 pairs

• Implemented IP phone system

• Enhancing further expansions (CAES) and grant/program opportunities

• Interconnect with colleges