More than 800 homes in western Monroe County will receive broadband internet by the end 2022 thanks to a unique partnership.
The Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC (UDWI) is partnering with Smithville Fiber to deliver service. The project's initial phase will begin in January with hopes of connecting 280 homes sometime next year.
The pandemic has forced many to work or learn from home to help limit the coronavirus’s spread.
Doug Childs, UDWI’s CEO, says the move is a unique partnership for the area.
“The way we look at, is the ability to help get members high speed broadband access with no additional investment from UDWI’s perspective.”
State leaders agree.
“Providers across Indiana continue to find creative ways to meet the needs of Hoosiers across the state,” said Indiana Broadband Director, Scott Rudd. Rudd, who works under Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, said the partnership "is yet another example of how the private sector, REMCs and communities alike have come together to serve Hoosiers with high-speed, affordable and reliable internet.”
Both utilities and communications providers are granted territory to serve. This partnership is possible because the build takes place where both Smithville and UDWI serve customers.
The plan is mutually beneficial because UDWI helps defray Smithville’s initial build costs, while UDWI benefits from new infrastructure—that was going to relaced anyway. The build connects electric substations and opens the possibility of future network enhancements like a smart grid.
Studies have shown rural communities reap a 4:1 return on broadband infrastructure investments, but communications providers don’t often benefit. Providers often don’t have incentive to build in rural communities because of the limited number of customers, high initial build cost, and low population density.
Childs is optimistic other utilities across Indiana and the nation could implement similar plans.
He called it “a win-win with no business risk for either party.”
“We were going to do these investments anyway,” Childs said. “It needed to be done, our system is relatively older. Our members have told us and we’re working very diligently on our system to improve reliability.”
A growing number of REMCs across Indiana beginning to provide service, but estimates show more than one in ten Hoosiers are still unable to access broadband.
