Vantage Point Solutions has been named the engineering firm of record for the Fiber Utility Network, the company announced Monday.
FUN is a coalition of eight electric co-ops, their subsidiaries, and key partners who want to expand the 3,000-mile network of fiber infrastructure across Alabama.
“The Fiber Utility Network has spent countless hours conceptualizing how to lower costs and improve backbone capabilities needed by broadband providers in Alabama, particularly those in rural areas, with access to the Internet in a visionary way,” said Tom Stackhouse, FUN chairman and Central Alabama Electric Cooperative president/CEO. “The selection of an engineering and design firm is a key decision that will make this vision a reality.
“Vantage Point Solutions has done extensive work in the state and was the clear winner of a competitive process to select this important middle-mile implementation partner.”
The Fiber Utility Network is co-op comprised of Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative, Covington Electric Cooperative, Cooperative Connection (a subsidiary of Cullman Electric Cooperative), JWEMC Communications LLC (a subsidiary of Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Cooperative), North Alabama Electric Cooperative, Tombigbee Electric Cooperative and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative — alongside fiber lease partner Alabama Power.
Last September, Gov. Kay Ivey announced that FUN would receive an $82,450,000 grant by way of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to create a statewide middle-mile network.
By using member co-op and Alabama Power’s existing fiber assets as more than 80% of the network’s fiber backbone, members will ultimately provide their communities with enhanced upstream capabilities — more capacity and more resiliency at a better value — all while enhancing rural healthcare and education support in areas served, FUN said.
“Without Gov. Ivey and her providing us with a generous ARPA grant, our vision as a coalition would have been delayed and progress to Alabama’s rural counties stalled for an unforeseen amount of time,” Stackhouse said. “We are thankful for her shared vision for a connected Alabama and for making statewide broadband access a key focus of her administration.
“This is an exciting chapter in our story, and we look forward to working with our member co-ops, our partners, Alabama’s economic development leaders, and rural broadband ISP customers, in order to serve our communities and the people of Alabama as middle-mile implementation begins.”
VPS has begun work to activate FUN’s existing fiber segments of the its network with a targeted active network in 2024. FUN’s next phase — set for completion by 2026 — will be construction of an anticipated 500 miles of new fiber.
“The vision for Fiber Utility Network is a game changer for Alabama,” said Chad Glanzer, president of Vantage Point Solutions. “We’re pleased to be named the engineering firm of record and have enjoyed working with coalition members as initial plans have taken shape.
“Our team is looking forward to helping bring this great project to life for Alabama’s broadband providers.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.