Pittsfield Council OKs Underground Fiber Network
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More underground fiber internet cables will be installed in Pittsfield.
On Tuesday, the City Council approved Gateway Fiber's request to install an underground fiber network infrastructure within the city's right-of-way.
The company was given the go-ahead for an aerial network last year alongside Archtop Fiber, marking the beginning of construction with a ribbon-cutting at the Colonial Theatre. Gateway Fiber will offer subscription plans ranging from $65 to $150 per month, depending on speed.
Wards 3 and 4 will see the most work in the first phase, according to an underground fiber deployment plan. Fourteen streets in Ward 4 will see underground fiber deployment; 13 streets in Ward 3.
Ward 4 Councilor James Conant voted in opposition for personal reasons, as he signed up for Gateway Fiber briefly last year and said he had poor service and poor communication from the company.
Some councilors and community members appreciated bringing competition to Spectrum internet services. Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey pointed out that it costs about $90 per month for 500 megabytes per second with Spectrum, and that all three fiber services that have come to Pittsfield are cheaper.
Operations Manager Jennifer Sharick explained that they were seeking approval for underground fiber deployment as part of the next phase in Pittsfield. The city was found to be a "very" viable community for underground fiber.
Gateway Fiber, she said, originally served a community of 250 residents outside of St. Louis, Mo.
"Following the pandemic, we saw the need, and what people need for fiber and reliable internet service to bring residents and businesses the opportunity for connectivity," Sharick said.
Underground fiber is laid 18 inches below the surface, spliced, and the land is restored. Most of the work will be directional boring, which is said to be less invasive, and there may be situations that require trenching.
Sharick said that Gateway Fiber developed an underground risk reduction model that reduced damage by 90 percent. Gateway Fiber has sponsored community events and will notify residents of work through direct mailings, social media advertisements, door hangers, and a QR code to reach the company directly.
"We've had a lot of success here, and we just want to continue to show you that," she said.
Three fiber companies have come to Pittsfield over the past year: Gateway Fiber, Archtop Fiber, and AccessPlus Fiber.
Councilor At Large Pete White asked Ricardo Morales, commissioner of public services and utilities, how much room is in the ROW and if the city will have to put a cap on competition.
Morales said there is room right now, and clutter will be an engineering challenge for whoever is proposing to move in. Any new fiber services will need a city permit.
Tags: Internet,
