Last month, the Arlington City Council approved an agreement with international developer SiFi Networks to build a fiber-optic network across the 99-square-mile community, preparing for “smart city” status. According to a release by SiFi, Arlington will become the first city in Texas and the largest in the nation where the company will deploy its open-access fiber network citywide.
SiFi is committed to offering the fastest, most reliable, competitively priced network to customers, said Shawn Parker, SiFi Networks vice president for Business Development & Government Affairs. “SiFi believes in leveling socioeconomic barriers by allowing all residents the opportunity to connect to its networks, creating a brighter future for all members of the community by opening the door to better educational resources and greater access to jobs and training,” he added.
Over the next two years, SiFi will install over 10 million linear feet of fiber throughout the city, touching every street. The project, dubbed The FiberCity® network, will take five years to build and ultimately provide a high-speed connectivity point to approximately 156,000 residential properties and 16,000 businesses and offer city hotspots.
SiFi Networks will own, operate and maintain the network, contracting with various ISPs to provide service to residents and businesses. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the network will offer broadband speed plans ranging from 100 megabytes to 1 gigabit. The city projects revenue of $758,000 from licensing fees.
“While the entire community will benefit from superfast broadband, the FiberCity® will also support Arlington’s economic future and help bridge the digital divide that exists in areas of the community,” said Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams. “Additionally, the network will have a direct impact on employment, helping existing businesses grow and attracting new businesses to the city.”
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