
Fast, affordable Internet access for all.
In this episode of the podcast, Chris speaks with Stephanie Becken, the Broadband Manager for the City of Superior, Wisconsin. Stephanie shares her journey from moving to Superior to becoming a key figure in the Connect Superior initiative, a project aimed at improving broadband access in the city and surrounding areas.
They discuss the unique qualities of Superior, a city of 26,000 people located on the shores of Lake Superior, and the challenges and opportunities that come with expanding broadband in a region with such a large footprint. Stephanie explains the phased approach to building an open access fiber network, the city's recent formation of a broadband utility, and the collaboration with local and regional service providers.
The conversation also touches on the importance of connectivity for local businesses, residents, and essential services, and the excitement surrounding the initial phase of fiber installation. Stephanie expresses her enthusiasm for the project's potential to transform the community and looks forward to a future where reliable, high-quality internet is the norm for all Superior residents.
Tune in to hear more about this inspiring local initiative and the drive to bring top-notch connectivity to the people of Superior.
This show is 24 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.
Transcript below.
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Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license
Superior, Wisconsin officials have given the green light to the first pilot area for Superior’s new city-owned fiber network. Dubbed Connect Superior, the open access fiber network aims to deliver affordable gigabit access to every resident, community anchor institution and business in the city of nearly 27,000.
On July 5, the Superior City Council voted 8-1 to approve deployment in the project’s first pilot area: a swath of around 821 homes and businesses lodged between Tower Avenue, Belknap Street, and North 21st streets. The vote lets the city now begin issuing RFPs for network construction and negotiate with potential network tenants.
In 2020 the city passed a resolution declaring fiber essential infrastructure. In 2021, the city council voted overwhelmingly to move forward on a deployment master plan developed for the city by EntryPoint Networks. The initial $2.26 million cost of the pilot will be paid for with the help of $5 million from the city’s $17 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act funding.
A citywide deployment, should the city pursue it, is expected to cost somewhere around $31 million. The city remains hopeful that much of the cost can be offset by what it hopes will be a 40 percent take rate among local residents and businesses.