Multiple Marathons to Run: October Olympic Fiber Update.
Fiber broadband buildout is underway in Quilcene, but registration is filling up fast.
THE GOOD NEWS: Our PUD line crews are installing a mile of fiber a day on poles around Quilcene, with more than 25 miles of fiber already in place. The core equipment for our new 10 Gig network is in place and tested. Amazing internet from the PUD is now a reality.
THE BAD NEWS: The bulk of underground fiber installation has been delayed until after the new year. Most of our connections to the home are underground, as are key connections between aerial fiber installations.
THE ISSUE: After multiple funding delays from the federal government that put us more than a year behind our initial projections, our latest delay has been due to the difficulty of designing the project. Drawing plans for 200 miles of fiber optic cable around the shorelines, islands, farmland, and foothills of the Olympic Mountains has not been an easy task. We had a lot to learn and a lot to review. BUT! We are in the homestretch now and are pivoting to bidding and selecting contractors in the coming weeks and months.
WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU: Fiber is still coming, but most connections will not be made until spring and summer. Our goal is to have the entire project wrapped up in 2024, but it may stretch into the fall. We apologize for the delays. We cannot wait to get you connected.
OTHER THINGS TO BE AWARE OF: Initial site visits and surveys have been paused as we work to obtain our underground fiber contractors. We will be in touch after the New Year with information about when we’ll be heading back out to do site visits.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: As always, make sure to tell any neighbors to sign up ASAP if they are on the fence. Only the first 60% of sign-ups are guaranteed installation at no charge. We’re at 46% now and after the 60% quota is met, it’ll cost $750 per home. Encourage your friends and neighbors on the fence (or not in the know) to register now online at: fiber.jeffpud.org, or call our customer service team at 360-385-5800 9-4:30 M-F to register over the phone. Once construction begins, registration is likely to fill up fast!
