Metro Fibernet LLC (MetroNet) is a company based in Indiana that installs and maintains fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks within cities for providing start of the are fiber voice, video and internet services to residents and businesses. The vast majority of their fiber optic installation is within street rights-of-way and within public utility easements. MetroNet has installed a number of networks within Iowa cities at this time including Ames and Davenport. At this time, the company is proposing to install fiber networks within the Des Moines metro cities, including Ankeny.
MetroNet plans to complete an aggressive deployment within Ankeny, whereby they will install fiber facilities to 90% of the city within a 20-month period. Their permits will cover large areas of as much as 1,000 homes at a time. Given MetroNet's unique approach to permits and construction, an agreement was developed based on Ankeny's municipal code requirements for private utilities within our rights-of-way and easements. Most of these requirements can be found in Code Chapter 151.
Based on past deployments in other similar cities, MetroNet expects to be able to capture a substantial portion of the market share for network internet, voice and video services. Once the deployment is in place within Ankeny, our residents and businesses will have a new alternative for such services.
It is recommended that the agreement with MetroNet be approved and executed at this time. Pending approval, the company plans to have the 90% deployment completed by the end of November, 2022. |