Electric Utility Shows Missouri How To Do Rural Fiber

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One of Missouri's electric co-ops is showing the rest of the world how to sustainably deliver fiber broadband to low population density regions. United Fiber, a subsidiary of United Electric Cooperative, started deploying fiber in 2011 and has built a network of 3,200 miles delivering gigabit connectivity to nearly 25,000 residential and commercial customers. In the process, the broadband operation has generated $25 million in annual revenue, funds that are being used to lower customer electric rates. United Fiber’s broadband dream was jumpstarted by having existing utility infrastructure in the form of electric poles installed and maintained over 80 years and an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grand and loan award of $21 million to build out service in rural areas. Other funding came in 2019 and 2021 through the Connect America Fund II and Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, adding an additional $28 million in capital monies for the expansion of its fiber network. Serving Rural Northwest Missouri, United found over 40 communities near its electric market area that didn’t have broadband. United found it could successfully deploy fiber in more population-dense towns nearby, using the revenues to “average out” costs between more and less dense areas.


Electric Utility Shows Missouri How To Do Rural Fiber