OVERVIEW

BACKGROUND

In 2005, voters in Waterloo authorized the development of a municipal telecom utility.  For more information on the referendum and the Waterloo Telecom Utility see (http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-138546293.html)

Since that time, Mayor Hurley has appointed five outstanding commissioners and a survey has been conducted for potential city uses of advanced telecommunications services.

WATERLOO FIBER PARTNERSHIP

TEAM Consulting Partners, representing a group of Waterloo businesses, educational and not-for-profit organizations, is interested in developing a partnership with the Waterloo Telecommunications Utility.  The partnership’s purpose would be to develop and operate an “Open Access Fiberoptics Network” without damaging the city’s relationship with its private telecom carriers. 

PARTNERSHIP OBJECTIVES

• Provide World-Class Service to Public Users
• Provide World-Class Service to Business Users
• Develop the fiberoptics network with financing from interested private users (not public funds/guarantees)
• Encourage Competition and Innovation

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

• STEP 1: Develop the Private/Public Partnership
• STEP 2: Construct an “Open Access” Fiber Network.  This will be done through an RFP/negotiation process with the city’s telecom carriers.
• STEP 3: Construct switching locations (“POP’s) and carrier interconnects to serve all network users and carriers.

BENEFITS

The benefits of an open access network include:

• Converts City Right of Ways to Tangible Asset,
• Asset Can/Will Reduce Communications Costs to City,
• Will Promote Economic Development,
• Promotes Cooperation w/ Private Telecom Carriers
• Introduces Competition/Innovative Services for Waterloo Businesses