4.6 SR 01-02-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Tekstar Communications, Inc. d/b/a Arvig Project Summary Executive Summary Tekstar Communications, Inc., dba Arvig ("Tekstar/Arvig"), headquartered in Perham, MN, has been providing competitive broadband services to Minnesota communities since 1998 with Arvig roots going back to 1950 including full -suite telecommunications services for businesses, farms, residential customers, counties, schools, libraries, healthcare services and other critical anchor institutions throughout the state. As part of this application, Tekstar/Arvig proposes broadband services for the sparsely populated and rural areas located north and south of the community of Elk River, MN. These areas have been identified as first -in -line to receive and maximize the use of the broadband grant funding for the area provided under the American Recovery Plan Act and Sherburne County due to lack of reliable high-speed internet services and meets the eligibility consideration criteria as unserved and underserved residential territories. Tekstar/Arvig seeks to benefit residents and businesses, improving their way of life, with the delivery of minimum speeds offered at 100/20 and deploying a proposed Fiber -to -the -Home (FTTH) system consisting entirely of fiber optic and Calix XGS PON equipment capable of delivering 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload high-speed broadband. Using Calix XGS, subscribers have immediate scalability, upon placement of an order, and access to availability of 100/100 symmetrical service. Internet service packages are anticipated to start at 100/20Mbps with offerings available at up to 1Gig and supporting 10G with symmetrical packages upon request. Total number of estimated households proposed as passed is approximately 42 households via FTTH XGS-PON construction. Approximately 64% of households are estimated to be unserved with 36% of households considered underserved. Minimum speeds are planned so as to support data and voice transmission. Areas are currently defined as unserved/underserved and Tekstar/Arvig seeks to benefit residents by delivering in -home remote capabilities, remote educational opportunities, telehealth services, and remote business connections maintaining reliable internet connectivity for office communications. Tekstar/Arvig technicians, construction and network personnel are highly trained and experienced in the maintenance and quality delivery of these systems. Tekstar/Arvig is well -experienced and fully staffed for these types of projects having previously been awarded Minnesota DEED Border -to -Border grant projects in the past. Priorfunded efforts have been managed to successful completion and on -time implementation. Tekstar/Arvig technical and network teams are trained to implement and support our Calix systems delivering services for projects, proving daily, Calix to be a successful platform providing the reliability necessary to feed the demands of today"s substantially increased remote -user needs. Total residences, business and critical community facilities estimated to have access to services post installation equal the total estimated households, business, and institutions passed. For a review of existing area broadband providers and service speeds available please reference the Project Description Section (132) of this response. For Tekstar/Arvig plans currently available making the proposed broadband services affordable please reference the Project Description Section (136) of this response. All equipment proposed to be installed within the City of Elk River area is proposed to receive funding from the Sherburne County ARPA program. The proposed timeline for buildout is during the construction season estimated to begin approximately April 1, 2023 and continuing up to June 30, 2025. Engineering, drafting, and permitting associated with the route is proposed to start in the Spring of 2024. Tekstar/Arvig and its affiliated companies have utilized and deployed Calix FTTH systems successfully 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 population in the City of Elk River area by making available and providing these services to every unserved and underserved household and business. Stand-alone