City explores fiber optics

SANDPOINT — Downtown businesses and city government will be one step closer to accelerated fiber optic Internet service if all goes as planned at tonight's council meeting.

Public Works Director Ryan Luttmann will seek City Council's approval to award the installation contract to Sandpoint-based North Country Electric, LLC. The company would add cables and ancillary equipment into the central conduit network already completed, according to city officials.

A long-term collaborative project of SURA and Bonner County, the initial infrastructure will connect Sandpoint City Hall, Bonner County Courthouse, Bonner County LIbrary and emergency services.

Completion of the project would clear the way for commercial Internet service providers to hook up residential customers as well, said City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton.

Fiber optics technology relies on ultrathin, flexible transparent fibers to transmit data at accelerated speeds, according to the Federal Communications Commission. The technology converts electronic data to light that moves along the hair-thin glass or plastic fibers at speeds far greater than DSL or cable modem services, FCC reports.

The downtown to City Hall portion of the new fiber optics network should be online by the end of this summer, according to sandpointidaho.gov.

Tonight's City Council meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. at Sandpoint City Hall. The public is welcome to attend.