BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Common Council is expected to vote Monday afternoon on a template for a new fiber-optic franchise agreement. The agreement would make way for multiple fiber-optic carriers to provide broadband internet to residents in the City of Buffalo.
2 On Your Side first started asking city officials in August about the status of broadband internet. At the time, only one broadband provider was accessible to all city residents. Initially, the city was not responsive to interview or Freedom of Information Law requests on the matter.
WGRZ published a story about the status of broadband in Buffalo on November 26. On December 2 the Department of Public Works provided the Buffalo Common Council with a new fiber-optic franchise agreement template to approve. The Buffalo Common Council Legislation Committee debated the agreement at their December 3 meeting, but ultimately tabled the matter over concerns regarding the proposed fee structure.
As it stands, the template calls for a $6,000 payment for up to 12,000 feet of fiber-optic line run, the price doesn't change if its above or below ground installation. Additionally, after the initial 12,000 feet, the city would charge a provider $1/foot to install.
"Whatever is on the books we want to make sure will work for future companies," said Lovejoy District Councilman Rich Fontana. "If we're too high it could drive away the competition, if we're too low it could shortchange the taxpayers, so we have to find that sweet spot where this works for the taxpayers and the build-out."
One of the companies that voiced opposition to the agreement and frustration that the Department of Public Works was not responsive to their inquiries was Crosslake Fibre. Crosslake Fibre is currently installing a submarine fiber line from Toronto to New York City. Their line leaves Toronto and crosses Lake Ontario and reconnects near Wilson along the shoreline.
Crosslake Fibre initially planned to install fiber into the City of Buffalo and provide internet solutions for commercial businesses. However, the city hadn't responded to their inquiry in 2018 and the company chose to install around the city rather than into it.
If the Common Council approves the franchise agreement it would be put to work rather quickly. Last week, Greenlight Networks announced plans to provide residents a fiber-based internet option starting in late 2020 or early 2021. Officials from Greenlight and the Common Council said it was the reporting of 2 On Your Side that garnered interest in bringing their service to the City of Buffalo.
The Common Council is expected to vote on the agreement template at 2 p.m.