Dublin Selects altafiber to Provide Complete Citywide Broadband Access

Quick takes for residents:

• Dublin City Council has approved an agreement with altafiber to install a citywide fiber to the home network
• Construction is expected to begin in spring 2024 and be completed in three years
• Visit the Dublin-altafiber landing page for FAQs and to sign up for updates
• Product packages and rates will be determined by altafiber

The City of Dublin is announcing an exciting new partnership with altafiber. The two parties will work to make Dublin, Ohio the most connected city in the nation – by providing every premises in Dublin access to reliable, ultra-fast fiber.

altafiber was selected following a “Request for Proposal” (RFP) process, seeking a partner to provide competitive access to internet service of 10 gigabits for all Dublin residents.

The City of Dublin conducted various community surveys in recent years to determine residents’ experiences with their internet service. The survey results expressed a strong desire from residents for improved access to higher internet speeds, lower service costs and better customer service. Dublin, with its history of innovation in service delivery and community development, used this feedback to proactively address these vital connection needs.

“We are committed to offering outstanding amenities for our residents,” says Dublin City Manager Megan O’Callaghan. “This project will provide unprecedented access and help us achieve Dublin City Council’s goal of being the most connected city. We’re looking forward to working with altafiber to achieve this together.”

The City published an RFP on July 8, 2022, and received seven responses. After a rigorous evaluation process, altafiber was selected based on many factors, including price, buildout plan, stability, experience and partnerships. City Council voted unanimously in support of the agreement at its June 26 meeting.

altafiber is the leading supplier of fiber-based services in Greater Cincinnati and has invested more than $1.5 billion into expanding its fiber network across Southwest Ohio.  The company is committed to creating digital equity so that all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, economy and democracy.

altafiber will be investing roughly $35 million in this fiber optic network. Additionally, the company will provide additional tech infrastructure, which could include a City Innovation Center or public Wi-Fi initiatives. The City will work to identify which choice best suits the needs of the community.

Dublin will be the first completed fiber high-speed broadband service area of comparable size in the central Ohio region. This undertaking, coupled with Dublink, the 100-Gig Fiber Optic Network available to Dublin businesses, will make Dublin the most connected City in the U.S.

“altafiber is proud to partner with the City of Dublin on this important project. Access to employment, educational, and healthcare opportunities depends on gigabit connectivity – which is a powerful economic development tool,” said Jason Praeter, President of Consumer & Small Business for altafiber. “We look forward to delivering an outstanding customer experience in Dublin, and being increasingly involved in this great community.”

altafiber is engaged in several other public-private partnerships across the state and region, including the Northern Kentucky Communities of Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties, and Butler, Warren, and Greene Counties in Ohio.

 In the 2022 Community Attitudes Survey, 58% of Dublin residents said investing in broadband should be a high priority. 15% said this should be the City’s highest priority.

“This project will allow us to make Dublin homes fiber-connected, competitive and relatively future-proof,” says Dublin Chief Information Officer Doug McCollough. “Our residents will have access to unparalleled speed and reliability for their diverse internet needs, which is more important than ever with a growing number of home-based businesses. This program gives Dublin families and businesses internet they can count on.”

Construction of the 10-Gig Fiber network is expected to be substantially completed within three years. Some Dublin residents will begin to have access to altafiber’s high-speed fiber network in the second half of 2024. The fiber buildout plan is being developed and residents will be notified as areas within the city are completed. Product packages and rates will be determined by altafiber, which has committed to offering Dublin residents competitive rate packages during the term of the agreement. Residents should visit our project page for frequently asked questions and to sign up for updates – https://info.altafiber.com/dublin.

“Dublin’s ambitious plan to connect all residents with 10-Gigabit Internet service not only addresses existing broadband gaps but also proactively targets future needs,” says Corian Zacher, Next Century Cities’ Senior Policy Counsel for State & Local Affairs. “As more services and employment opportunities are available exclusively online, a high-quality, reliable broadband connection is essential to fully participate in society and the economy.”

Next Century Cities is a nonprofit nationwide coalition of over 240 local governments, including 12 members in Ohio, committed to improving broadband outcomes for their residents.

“28% of Dublin’s residents are under the age of 18. Investing in high-quality broadband equips students with important learning tools and the ability to prepare for future workforce demands,” Zacher says. “Additionally, reliable high-speed broadband expands access to higher education, enables remote work and promises capacity for assistive technologies that older adults need to age in place. As local leaders seek solutions to persistent connectivity gaps, Dublin’s community-wide strategy to deliver on ubiquitous broadband goals offers a visionary framework that other cities could model.”

Media Contact:
Lindsay Weisenauer
Director of Communications and Public Information
614.704.9742 – Cell
614.410.4504 – Desk
lweisenauer@dublin.oh.us
Newsroom: https://dublinohiousa.gov/newsroom/

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About the City of Dublin, Ohio, USA

Dublin is a city of nearly 50,000 residents located just northwest of Columbus, Ohio. It offers residents and corporate citizens responsive services, attractive housing options, superior public education, direct regional highway access, abundant park space, thoughtful and strategic planning, innovative ideas and technology and a dynamic community life. Dublin is ranked the number one small city in Ohio and is consistently named one of the safest cities in the nation. It is home to more than 20 corporate headquarters, an entrepreneurial center, 4,300+ businesses, world-class events and the urban, walkable Bridge Street District. For more information, visit DublinOhioUSA.gov or call 614.410.4400.

About altafiber

Cincinnati Bell is now doing business as “altafiber” in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The Company delivers integrated communications solutions to residential and business customers over its fiber-optic network including high-speed internet, video, voice and data. The Company also provides service in Hawai’i under the brand Hawaiian Telcom. In addition, the Company’s enterprise customers across the United States and Canada rely on CBTS and OnX, wholly-owned subsidiaries, for efficient, scalable office communications systems and end-to-end IT solutions. For more information, please visit www.altafiber.com. The information on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference in this press release.

Connected Dublin

Dublin, Ohio, USA aspires to be the most connected city in the United States. With a 100-gigabit fiber transport network, strategic private and public partnerships and significant investments in innovation, Dublin is emerging as a global leader providing an ecosystem for companies to beta test new technologies.

From smart mobility pilot projects to augmented reality exploration, Dublin is pushing boundaries to improve cyber security, transportation safety and quality of life and place for our residents and businesses.

The City is testing roadside units at its intersections, onboard units in its fleet, and will be beta testing the first Blockchain-based digital identity in the State of Ohio. With an innovative eye toward the future, the City of Dublin is working to improve lives, drives and experiences.