Springfield Utility Board Launches Springfield InfiNet Fiber Service

First customers connected to fiber internet in new Net Neighborhood,  ISP applications for expansion now open 

Springfield, Ore. – [June 29, 2020] — Springfield Utility Board (SUB) announces today that service is going live to the first customers of a unique a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) initiative — Net Neighborhoods. The Net Neighborhood concept is part of the Springfield InfiNet suite of telecommunications infrastructure tools and is the first of its kind in Oregon. Net Neighborhoods combine SUB’s existing, publicly owned fiber infrastructure with an Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) experience and knowledge of market potential to increase community access to high-speed internet. 

The new Net Neighborhoods program allows qualified ISPs to identify areas for expansion and build last-mile fiber connections from SUB’s existing fiber network to serve residents and businesses. In doing so, it enhances the competitive landscape for internet service in Springfield. The first provider installing fiber under the program, XS Media, identified the Ambleside neighborhood for the inaugural Net Neighborhood in Springfield. Fiber is expected to be available at 112 homes in the neighborhood over the next several months.  

“This unique program brings competition and innovation to our city by melding SUB’s infrastructure, an ISP’s entrepreneurial savvy, customer choice and Springfield’s ‘can do’ ideology,” Jeff Nelson, general manager at SUB, said.

“This unique program brings competition and innovation to our city by melding SUB’s infrastructure, an ISP’s entrepreneurial savvy, customer choice and Springfield’s ‘can do’ ideology.”

Once a neighborhood is identified, interested ISPs submit a service proposal to SUB. Applicants are then evaluated and SUB selects a provider based on cost, timing and other factors. A key provision of the program is its unique financing: the ISP finances the construction of the last-mile infrastructure, SUB purchases the infrastructure once built, and the ISP then pays SUB for its use after construction. This allows SUB to retain public ownership of the infrastructure while opening market opportunities to smaller ISPs for whom construction costs are often a barrier.

“For years, we’ve had community members asking us to enter the Springfield market,” Stephen Parac, Chief Operating Officer for XS Media, said. “Working with SUB on Net Neighborhoods has allowed us to fulfill our vision of delivering affordable, world-class gigabit Internet to Springfield residents.” 

ISPs interested in participating in Springfield InfiNet Net Neighborhood offerings can view application requirements online at SpringfieldInfiNet.com. Residential and commercial customers with questions Net Neighborhoods can find more information at that website as well.

About Springfield Utility Board:

Established in 1950, SUB is a community-owned utility supplying low-cost power and clean, healthful water to 50,000 residential and commercial-industrial customers in Springfield, Oregon and surrounding communities. SUB also maintains a 30-mile fiber-optic system used by the utility and leased to various community partners.