Utah's multi-municipality Utopia fiber broadband network has proven to be a disappointment thus far, with lower-than-expected subscriber and revenue numbers and livelier-than-expected competition from telecom carriers such as Qwest Communications and Comcast. Utah neighbor iProvo also has suffered. Now, the Utopia network that began as a $400 million broadband funding proposal involving 18 municipalities--but eventually became a $200 million project involving 11 communities--is looking to rebound. However, it is asking remaining members to increase their financial commitment by $300 million to back Utopia's bond financing, and also is mulling an upfront user fee of at least $1,000 and possibly more. As Qwest in particular recently committed to a broadband upgrade in Utah, Utopia's financial requirements are far from perfection.
For more:
- read this story at The Salt Lake Tribune
- and this report about Utopia and iProvo at Utah's Daily Herald