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Date: 4/26/2021
HOLYOKE – Holyoke Gas and Electric (HG&E) is considering developing a municipal broadband service – like Chicopee and Westfield – but first the utility is interested in finding out if there is a demand for the service in the Paper City.
The proposed service would not provide cable television service but simply a high-speed Internet connections. The new service would be called Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) and would take advantage of the city’s fiber optic network. The build-out to homes is estimated to cost up to $30 million.
Kate Sullivan Craven, manager of marketing and communications at HG&E, explained to Reminder Publishing the utility’s survey is to determine overall interest in the project and to identify “fiberhoods,” parts of the city where there is a high interest in the proposed service.
HG&E is asking city residents to fill out a survey located online at https://www.hged.com/telecom/fiber-to-the-home-interest/default.aspx. The survey gathers information on what people could afford as monthly fees; what they are willing to pay for a one-time installation costs; whether or not they are willing to switch to internet services such as those provided on Roku, Prime, and HBO Max; if subscribers want to rent or buy the necessary equipment; and if customers would be willing to pay a $100 deposit to commit to the service.
Craven added the infrastructure bill proposed by President Joe Biden and currently in the House might provide funding for the project and is being watched closely.
If federal funds become affordable, “we would change our strategy accordingly,” she added.
She added that with 2021 construction prices, that if 40 percent of the HG&E customers signed up for the service, it would be profitable 10 years.
At this time, there are three pilot programs, including the Cubit Building and the Chestnut Park Apartments, for residential Internet connection, Craven said.
“Customers can go to our website and fill out a survey detailing their interest in potentially subscribing to a local, residential fiber internet service. The survey will also be included as an insert with their upcoming bill,” she said.