4.8 SR 01-21-2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Tekstar Communications, Inc. d/b/a Ar ig Project DescrEption B1. Description & Propased Broadband Impro ements Tekstar/Ar ig is proposing to invest in an all fiber-optic physical broadband network that will pravide last mile fiber all ihe way ta the home offering faster more reliable service than is auailable today and looking to partner with Sh rburne Caunty on a proposed broadbanci infrastructure projeci for the qualifying SurrQunding rural areas of Elk Ri er, IVIN. Overview maps identifying the locations for the buildout proposed have been included and can be referenced in Section 85 — Mapping. The proposed areas ha e been identified as in need of broadband services to enable resic ents and businesses to participate in distance learning, remote emplayment connertions, and teleh alth services due to t e COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to broadt and Internet, tekephone services could afso be provided to these premises utilizing the same network. Tekstar/Arvig proposes to implement an aggregated XG5-PON full fiber buriec! solutipn aggregated over a passive optical network and XG5-PON electronics located in remo#e cabinets at pravider nodes. This technology supports the dekivery of Gigabit and 10 Gigabit services via ihe Calix GigaFamily of outdoorterminais and residential gateways at customer and business Iocations. Broadband facilities proposed for placement include 100% buried fiber optic cables for the Elk Riuer, MN area. This broadi and infrastructure project will upgrade approximately 42 structures within the proposed area and Tekstar/Ar ig shall irnproue broadband service le els, making avai[able up to 3Gbps speeds, exceeding the State of Minnesota`s 2022 and 2026 broadband gaals in a Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTI) solution. Households and businesses passed wil! be abie to utilize the fiber atce5s technalr gy for essential remote services and connectivity currently in demand for an estimated 27 unser ed and 15 underser ed structures and approximately 6.i7 route miles. Consumers will not anly be able to work from hame but will be more effective and efficient with hig#-speed braadband connections and broadband access will enable inhabitants in the immediate area to utilize new technol gy and tools to grow their businesses as weli as tl eir community. The antic pated benefits to the community and surrounding area includes improvem nt of quality of ii ing and the ability for rural areas to thrive in our ever-changing technolagical worid. Today's culture demands signif cant increases in bandwidth to support remote service connectivity and the need for sueh services has became a critical netessity far daily living. All proposed irnpro ements meet the se vice requirementS and objecti es of the iequest for Proposal and wiA conform ta engineering standard be t pra tices, applitable feder l, state and lotal regulatory requirements, and the Te{ecammunications Act as amended. Installed infrastru ture shall pro ide tfi e speeds committed to in the RFP Response and application. B2. Project Need The need for this project is directly related to the lack of s fficient braadband availability within the proposed project area and the social e onomic value of high-speed internet ser ices. This project woufd eonnect households and businesses aligning the proposed areas together with current digital necessities and remote requirements impro ing high-speed connections and opportunities for 42 ioeations including 15 underserved and 27 urtser ed. Defi ering such proposed broadband 5peeds and a vailability i in direct alignment wi#h the American Reco ery P[an Act and would also result in direct stimulation for the laca! economy, treate jobs, and provide greater attess to remote wd'k, remote educatian, remote training, telehealth, heafthcare information, increased communications for public safety, a F ost af on-line services, and general welfare of the population. If the proposed project area is Rot selected to mo e farward with awarded Caunty grant f nds it is likely that servites to the propased areas would rernain unser ed and underserued until a pravider is ab{e fo step forward financially supporting such an initiative without grant assistance. Insuf#icient broadhand facilities and lower-level access electronics is not in the best interests of the public and remaining unserved and underserved would not be of benefit for area households struggling for appropriate levels of broadband communications today. Without funding, laek pf high-speed in#ernet would continue to negati ely impact the inhabitants of the area and necessary connecti ity would remain sparse and fatused to more urbanized locales. Thase requesting high-speed broadband for the first time could be denied service due to limited capacity in existing facilities. Page 81 of 155