Powell Opens High-Speed Network to Community
Published Dec 16, 2008
A city effort allows high-speed, fiber-optic cable to run to virtually every home and business in Powell.
High-speed, fiber-optic cable runs to virtually every home and business in Powell, a Northwest Wyoming city of 5,500 people. Officials hope the network, financed privately and not by taxpayer dollars, becomes a model for rural communities.
Financing came from Global Leveraged Capital Management, a private banking firm. TCTWest provides the service. Residents don’t have to sign up, but if they do, the equipment is in place and they pay a monthly fee for access to extremely high-speed Internet, telephone and TV services.
“It makes sure Powell is not disadvantaged in any way and even has an advantage,” says Mayor Scott Mangold.
The Powell initiative also dovetails with Wyoming Equality Network, a $29 million effort to connect all Wyoming public schools to high-speed networks for better access to teaching resources, including video feeds.
The city of Powell will own its network, though the only public money involved was for erecting a small building to house the electronics. A $125,000 consulting fee was refunded to Powell as part of the arrangement.
Residents who opted out of the installation may regret it. Hooking up after the fact could cost $1,000, Mangold says.
Story by Pamela Coyle
Photo by Ian Curcio
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