Editor’s note: The following is a press release from the City of Bloomington. Bloom has republished it here with minor edits for style and clarity.
Mayor John Hamilton has announced that the City of Bloomington and public infrastructure developer Meridiam have signed a letter of intent (LOI) for the firm to build and operate a fiber network to bring high-speed internet to Bloomington residences. By the end of the year, the City plans to enter into an agreement with Meridiam to construct an open-access fiber-optic network delivering gigabit-class and greater broadband service throughout Bloomington, including the city’s low-income neighborhoods. Meridiam intends to begin construction in 2022.
Establishing a high-speed, citywide fiber network has been a priority of the Hamilton administration since 2016, with the goal of providing broad and equitable access to an essential 21st-century technology. Since 2016, the City has sought a partner that shares the City’s commitment to digital equity to develop, build and operate a citywide, financially feasible system featuring open architecture to encourage its use by multiple providers. After several explorations of prospective partnerships with fiber network providers, this LOI is the culmination of nearly a year of discussion with and site visits from Meridiam.
“We’re very pleased to be working with such a capable and promising partner in Meridiam, aiming to invest over $40 million to advance our digital infrastructure,” says Mayor Hamilton. “Our 2020 Digital Equity Survey confirmed the persistence of significant broadband needs and gaps that make this news particularly welcome. And we all know how important digital connections are to daily quality of life and prosperity. Establishing the opportunity for households across the community to access high-speed internet represents significant progress toward our digital equity goals. With this LOI, we are outlining a major step to equip Bloomingtonians with the tools they need to learn, work, and fully participate in contemporary life, and at the same time advancing our city’s economic development.”
The City and Meridiam plan to execute a full agreement by December 31. Meridiam will then complete its detailed engineering analysis to plan and design the build-out of the open-access fiber network. Meridiam plans to contract with at least one internet service provider to use the new network to deliver high-speed services within Bloomington. Meridiam expects to build the network without a financial commitment from the City. The City and Meridiam are exploring a financial partnership to fund a substantial digital equity program to improve access for residences in low-income areas.
The LOI stipulates that Meridiam intends to build a broadband network covering virtually all and at least 85% of Bloomington residences, including the areas currently approved for annexation if they go forward. The LOI indicates the network will be an open-access model, meaning that any internet provider may lease the infrastructure after an initial restricted period. The LOI commits Meridiam and the City to achieve digital equity goals and the principle of net neutrality—that all internet communications are to be treated equally.
In connection with discussions that began with Bloomington, Meridiam identified additional communities where an investment in an open-access network appeared feasible. Thus, after commencing in Bloomington, Meridiam is also planning similar investments in other municipalities in central Indiana. “We are proud to lead and anchor what has become a regional broadband initiative reaching well beyond Bloomington,” says Mayor Hamilton.
Installing a broadband network across Bloomington is part of the City’s larger plan to improve digital equity in the community, which is mapped in the Digital Equity Strategic Plan (2020).
