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Fast, affordable Internet access for all.
Loveland, Colorado’s Municipal Fiber Network Crosses Finish Line
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As Loveland, Colorado’s municipal broadband network continues to rack up industry accolades on its path to providing world-class high-speed Internet service, the city is now celebrating another important milestone.
Last week, Pulse Fiber officials announced that construction of its community-owned broadband network is now complete with every household and business in this city of 77,000 now having access to affordable gig-speed service.
The $110 million construction project, which began in earnest only four years ago, is the largest capital project in the city’s history, reaching the finish line on time and on budget, city officials said.
In a press announcement Steve Adams, Loveland’s City Manager, captured the meaning of the moment:
“As we celebrate the successful conclusion of this historic project, Pulse stands as a shining example of what is possible when the community unites to pioneer innovative, collaborative solutions. We did this for ourselves, and we made it happen together.”
“This infrastructure has been designed and built with future generations in mind, ensuring Loveland remains at the forefront of modern, robust, and future-proof Internet delivery,” Pulse Broadband Manager Brieana Reed-Harmel added.
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Pulse officials candidly acknowledged that the pathway to the leading edge of Internet connectivity wasn’t easy, as the city had to navigate network construction through a global pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and inflation. But despite those challenges, Pulse Fiber has deployed 631 miles of conduit and over 1,300 miles of fiber throughout the city.
The network has also meant jobs for over 250 local employees and contractors with a sole focus on delivering Internet, WiFi, TV, and VoIP services to its subscribers on a network that offers up to 10 Gig symmetrical service without monthly data caps or hidden fees.
Elaborating on Loveland’s broadband journey, City Manager Steve Adams noted there was a “time when a community-owned fiber network was just an aspiration.” But now, he said, “it is truly extraordinary to witness it evolve into a tangible, nationally recognized reality.”
In addition to previous awards Loveland’s fiber network has garnered, most recently PCMag's ranking of the "2023 Best ISPs in the United States," listed Pulse as the fastest network in the Mountain region and as one of the fastest networks in the nation.
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In its rankings of the eight Mountain region states, PCMag said it was a part of the country where “smaller providers show what real speed is. In first place is Pulse, part of the Loveland Water and Power Department in Colorado, with a PCMag Speed Index of 579.8,” which is almost twice as fast as Google Fiber.
Besides meeting Loveland residents and businesses need for speed, subscriber satisfaction scores are 17 times higher than the national average, Pulse officials note, which is no doubt helped by the fact that subscribers can get symmetrical gig speed service for $75/month with a “starter” package of 100 Megabits per second service for just $45/per month.
It’s a service that has not only attracted more subscribers than the original business plan anticipated – with a take-rate of nearly 35 percent going head-to-head with the region’s big national incumbents (Comcast Xfinity and CenturyLink) – it has also inspired neighboring communities eager to do the same.
As astroturf disinformation campaigns continue to surface around the nation in an attempt to protect the big monopoly incumbents from competition by trying to convince local voters that municipal broadband is a “failure,” the early success of Pulse serves as a real world example of how publicly-owned broadband networks can be a viable solution for local communities serious about bringing choice to the market.
“Pulse is the result of our community's unwavering dedication to quality, affordable connections for all, even when others doubted its feasibility,” Reed-Harmel said. “Our achievement has not only transformed our city but also inspired neighboring communities to follow suit in creating a more connected region.”
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