Optical Fiber Communities List Updated

WASHINGTON, May 19 -- The Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) announced today an updated list of "US Optical Fiber Communities," with the total rising to 128 communities in 32 states. Prepared by Render, Vanderslice & Associates and TeleChoice, the list tracks communities nationwide that are delivering broadband services to customers through FTTH solutions.

Thirty-six communities representing a cross section of America were added to the list, including Indian Head, Pa.; Jackson, Tenn.; St. Marys, Ohio; Joshua, Texas; Holiway, Minn.; Clovis, N.M.; Jamestown, N.D.; Gypsum, Colo.; Scio, Ore.; and Phoenix, Ariz. The list shows that FTTH deployments continue to be driven by municipalities, competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) and new residential developments.

The new analysis shows a significant increase in FTTH subscribers, with average subscriber take rates exceeding 40 percent overall and more than 75 percent in some communities.

One new FTTH community is Jackson, Tenn,, where Jackson Energy Authority (JEA) is building a 658-mile fiber optic network. An innovative public-private collaboration, JEA provides customers with cable television and has partnered with local Internet service providers (ISPs) and CLECs to offer high-speed Internet, telephone and voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) services. Jackson began service this April with 350 customers and plans to complete construction of more than 26,000 homes within the next 18 months.

Also joining the list is St. Marys, Ohio, where competitive local exchange carrier TSC has overbuilt the pre-existing copper network to provide high-speed Internet, telephone and cable television service to this city of approximately 9000 people. Since launching its FTTH network in St. Marys, TSC has experienced a 75 percent subscriber rate.

"This technology offers the most advanced communications in the world," said St. Marys Mayor Greg Freewalt. "We are confident it will help attract new businesses to our community."

The FTTH communities list is available at: www.ftthcouncil.org and www.tiaonline.org/media/press_releases/uploads/FTTH04list.pdf