Springfield may be embarking on a Fiber Optics system of its own. The idea comes from City Councilor Jesse Ledderman who proposed it as part of the city budget debate- and the mayor liked the idea. Ledderman says the city is not only competing with the nation but also with cities and towns in the area. Ledderman calls the fiber optics the future of the internet.
Mayor Sarno states, “When the City Council was voting to approve my administrations FY22 budget, City Councilor Jesse Lederman brought up a great idea of capitalizing on potential federal infrastructure funding to review the potential of operating and installing municipal internet options for our residents. Following up on that discussion, Councilor Lederman, myself and key municipal personnel met today to continue that conversation and to review the implementation of conducting a feasibility study on providing our residents with municipal Fiber-to-the-Home network and to see if a municipal network is the best path forward to a future with reliable and affordable internet for our community.”
City Councilor Jesse Lederman stated, "The internet has become an essential utility for families and businesses, and people are tired of being nickel and dimed when it comes to internet access. Fiber is the future of the internet, and now is the time to prepare to ensure all Springfield residents and businesses have the options they deserve for capable, affordable, and high-speed internet service. I am excited to work together with Mayor Sarno and the entire administration to assess all our options as we prepare for the future internet needs of our community."
A feasibility study is next and that will be funded from monies in the pandemic relief package.
(Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)