MURRAY, UT — UTOPIA Fiber, a community-owned open-access fiber optic network, announced a $13.8 million agreement with the City of Clearfield, Utah, to build a fiber-to-the-home network. The Clearfield City Council voted unanimously to proceed with the project ensuring that all 32,000 city residents, including Clearfield’s robust business community, will have access to UTOPIA Fiber services. The first homes will be connected in late 2020. Clearfield is currently one of 50 Utah cities connected to UTOPIA Fiber business services and will now be the 15th to have residential service.
“The pandemic has driven internet usage to record levels. More than ever, Clearfield residents will now have the power to work remotely, participate in distance learning, access telehealth, and stream video on multiple connected devices, without the slowdowns or buffering of a typical network,” said Roger Timmerman, executive director, UTOPIA Fiber. “We’re really happy to be in Clearfield.”
Funded through Subscriber Revenues
Timmerman said the $13.8 million project is being financed through revenue bonds issued through UTOPIA Fiber’s sister agency, UIA, and backed by the city. And, like all UTOPIA Fiber projects since 2009, this project will be paid for completely through subscriber revenues.
Mayor Mark Shepherd said that striking an agreement with UTOPIA Fiber is key to his community’s continued economic growth: “Clearfield City’s population is expected to increase nearly 50% by 2040. Our residents require better internet options, the freedom to choose from multiple providers, faster speeds, and affordable prices. UTOPIA Fiber has been delivering that for our business community and we’re excited to expand fiber access to every home in the city.”
Open Access Residential Service
Clearfield, which borders Hill Air Force Base (30 miles north of Salt Lake City), will become the fourth contiguous city in Davis County with UTOPIA Fiber’s open access residential services. This means that once the network is constructed, residents can choose between 13 high-quality service providers because UTOPIA Fiber’s Open Access model encourages healthy competition among providers. Notably, Clearfield City is home to the Freeport Center which houses 70 large manufacturers and distributors.
“UTOPIA Fiber has been key to the Freeport Center’s success, as tenants can move massive amounts of data at the speed of light as easily as they can move their goods and services,” said the Mayor. “Now, all our residents will have access to the same modern connectivity.”
UTOPIA Fiber is an inter-local agency that provides fiber-to-the-home services in 15 Utah cities, and commercial services in over 50. Clearfield City residents will be able to get fiber internet services starting at $65/month for 250/250 Mbps and will have the option to choose speeds up to 10 Gbps (up to 100 Gbps for business) from 12 local providers—the fastest internet speeds in the nation.
Clearfield City residents can visit www.UTOPIAfiber.com for service maps, build-out timelines, and information on how to sign up for UTOPIA Fiber services.
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