5.7 SR 01-03-2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Tekstar Communications, Inc. d/b/a Ar�ig Project Summary Executi�e Summary Tekstar Cammunicatians, Inc., dba Arvig {"Tekstar/Arvig"), headquartered in Perham, MN, has been providing cor�petitive broadband services to Minnesota comrnunities since 1998 with Arvig roots going back to 1950 including full-suite telecommunitations services for businesses, farms, residential custamers, counties, schools, libraries, healthcare ser+rices and other critical anchor institutions throughout the state. As part of this application, T�kstar/Arvig proposes braadband serv'sces for the s�arsely populated and rural areas located north and sauth of the community of Elk Ri�er, MN. These areas ha�e been identified as first-in-line to re�eive and maxim�ze the use of the broadband grant funding for the area pro�ided under the American Recov�ry Plan Act and 5herburne County due to lack af reliable high-speed ir�ternet services and meets #he eligibility consideration criteria as unserved and underserved residential territories. Tekstarf Anrig seeks to benefit residents and businesses, 'rmproving their way of iife, with the deli�ery of minimum speeds offered at 10d/20 and deploying a proposed Fiber-to-the-Fiome (fTTH) system consisting entirely o# fiber optic and Calix XGS PON equipment capable of deli�ering J.ODMbps download and 20Mbp� upload high-speed broadband. Using Calix XGS, subscribers ha�e immediate scalability, upon placement of an order, and atcess #o a�aifability af 100/10p symmetrical service. Internet service packages are anticipat2d to start at 100/20Mbps with offerings available at up to ZGig and supparting 10G with symmetrica! packages upan request. Total number of �estimated households proposed as passed is approximately 42 househoids via FTTH XGS-PON construttion. Approxirnately 64% of hauseholds a�e estimated to be unser�ed with 3b% of households considered underserved. Minimum speeds are planned so as to support data and voice transmission. Areas are currently defined as unserved/underserved and iekstar/Arvig seeks to 6enefit residents by delivering in-home remote capabilities, remote educational oppartunities, tel�health services, and remote business connections maintaining reliab;e internet connecti�ity far office cammunications. Tekstar/Arvig technicians, construction and network personnel are highly trained and experienced in the maintenance and quality deiivery of these systems. Tekstar/Arvig is well-experienced and fully staffed for these types of projects ha�ing pre�iausly been awarded Minnesota DEED Border-ta-Border grant projects in the past. Priorfunded efforts have been managed #o suecessful completion and on-time implementation. Tekstar/Arvig technital and network teams are trained ta implement and su�part our Calix systems deli�ering services for projects, proving daily, Calixto be a successful platform providing the reliability necessary to feed the cfemands of today's substantially increased remote-user needs. Total residences, business and critical eommuni#y facilities estimated to have atcess to services post installation equai the total estimated households, business, and institutions passed. For a re�iew of existing area broadband providers arod service speeds a�ailable please referenc� the Project Description SectEon (B2J of this response. For Tekstar/Arvig plans currently available making the proposed broadE�and servtces aftordable please reference the Project DescTiptian Seetion (B6) af thi5 response, All equipment proposed to be installed within the City of Elk Ri�er area is proposed to receive funding from the She�'hurne County ARPA program. The �aroposed timeline for buildout is during the construction sea5on estimated to begin ap�roximately April 1, 2023 and continuing up to June 30, 2025. Engineering, drafting, and perrnitting associated with the route is proposed to start in #he Spring of 2024. TekstarJArvig and its affiliated companies ha�e u#ilized and de�layed Calix FTTH systems succ�ssfully for more than 25 years and plan to deliver the entirety of the proposed system during the 2024-5 season. Tekstar/Arvig has the expertise, local presence and ambition to stimulate the economy and �opulation in the City af Elk River area by making a�ai6able and providing these services to e�ery ur�served and underserved household and business. Stand-alone