Fort Collins Colorado will try to deploy municipal gigabit internet within 5 years

Fort Collins, Colorado, with a population of 161,000 is moving ahead with a plan for municipal gigabit internet. They aim to have it fully deployed to all households within 5 years.

A $1.8 million loan from the city’s general fund to the electric utility will pay for first-year start-up costs related to building telecommunications facilities and services. Bonds will be used to support later years.

They plan to charge less than $70 per month for gigabit service.

Underground wiring for improved reliability and “universal coverage” are two of the key goals listed in the measure.