In its industrial heyday, Scranton, PA billed itself as “The Electric City,” touting its modern amenities and trolley system. Still home to over 75,000 people, Scranton now seeks to bring broadband to its many inhabitants. As GovTech reports, the city has issued a Request for Quotation (RFQ), inviting applicants to bid to provide a fiber-optic and broadband network to all homes and businesses. Service must include minimum download and upload speeds of 1 Gbps.
Business Administrator Eileen Cipriani noted that the goal was to complete the project within two years of its launch date. “Paramount among the goals was ubiquitous service for the entire city,” she stated.
Cipriani added that she hoped that a competition among vendors would yield the best results for all involved. Ideally, the RFQ would tap into available funding from American Rescue Plan Act coffers rather than passing along costs to the city. However, she said that Scranton would work with the chosen applicant to waive permit fees and take needed steps to help facilitate construction of the network.
With a view towards civic-minded uses, Scranton has asked applicants to include plans for 12 fiber strands for municipal use. Connectivity should extend to city parks and facilities, including City Hall, the Scranton fire department, police department, and the Department of Public Works headquarters. Additionally, schools would also need the improved digital connectivity provided by the project.
Council President and former Scranton School District Supervisor Bill King told GovTech he expects the broadband project to bring “equity across the board so all students have access … anytime we can do that I think we’re moving in the right direction.”
The deadline for RFQ submission is November 6.
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