Residents directly south of Indiana University’s campus will be the first to receive fiber internet through the city’s open-access network.
Bloomington’s board of public works Tuesday approved a request for Atlantic Engineering Group (AEG) to install fiber in the public right-of-way starting Oct. 4. AEG should finish before November 4.
Fiber installment will take place underground and on utility poles between East Third and First streets and South Fess Avenue and South Mitchell Street.
The first Bloomington residents are expected to go online by the end of January 2023, with the entire project wrapping up by the beginning of 2025.
AEG is hired by Hoosier Networks, which is Meridiam’s Indiana-based company. Meridiam is the Paris-based infrastructure developer Bloomington contracted in June to build an open-access internet model to at least 85 percent of residents.
READ MORE: Meridiam announces new internet service provider for Bloomington, Columbus
Hoosier Networks announced earlier this month that Seattle-based GigabitNow will have exclusive access to the fiber network for at least five years, with the possibility to extend another two years. After the exclusivity period ends, any internet service provider can lease the space, potentially bringing several new options to the local market.
GigabitNow has not announced prices for internet plans. However, a digital equity program in Bloomington will provide 250 megabits per second for $30 per month to qualifying, low-income residents. Once combined with the Affordable Connectivity Program, these residents can receive internet at no cost.
READ MORE: Bloomington gives final go ahead for broadband project
