Residents of the north side of Temple may be wondering why high-speed internet has not been installed. The reason is pole rights.
The Town of Temple is finishing its fiber installation with Fidium, a project that will provide high-speed broadband internet to every resident in town. Approximately 45% of residents have access to fast internet, but residents of the north side will not have access until the power companies sign the pole rights.
Eversource signed the pole rights this spring to allow Fidium to move forward in the fiber-development process. The project was planned to be completed by May, but TDS, which owns the poles in the north side of town has not signed the agreement, putting the project on hold. TDS has agreed to sign the paperwork by July 4.
“We are just really hopeful TDS will make good on their word,” said Jessica Hipp, chair of Temple’s Broadband Subcommittee.
Joel Dohmeier, director of government and regulatory affairs for TDS, stated, “TDS jointly owns the poles in this area with Eversource Energy. We are working with multiple entities to complete the steps necessary to authorize pole licenses.”
In June of 2021, Temple residents voted in favor for a bond to install broadband internet to the town. The bond was not funded through taxpayer dollars. Instead, the town agreed to split the total cost of approximately $1.86 million for broadband internet with Consolidated Communications (CCI). Temple residents agreed to contribute $710,435 to the bond, which CCI then repays from infrastructure fees.
CCI subscribers will pay a monthly $14 infrastructure fee for broadband internet plus a base rate for the service, starting at $35 for the smallest internet package. According to information provided by the town, the broadband project will pose no financial risk to the town, and residents who do not subscribe will not be charged.
According to Hipp, some residents have expressed concern that Fidium would not install broadband in the north side of town. However, she stated that the contract requires the company to serve all areas of town. The town has paid for the first 50% of the installation, and Hipp stated the town would not pay the other half until all areas of town are covered.
The new service will provide high-speed internet to support educational and business needs. Hipp said fiber-installation project will benefit everybody in the community once it’s finished.
“High-speed internet is an absolute necessity,” said Hipp. “With the pandemic and people going remote for work, I truly believe its a necessity just as much as electricity.”