EWEB COMMISSIONERS AUTHORIZE CONSTRUCTION OF FIRST PORTION OF FIBER OPTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROJECT The Eugene Water & Electric Board of Commissioners authorized the construction of the first portion of a community-owned fiber optic telecommunications system last night. This unanimous Board decision means that construction on the fiber optic telecommunications system will begin in January 1999, with completion of the core system expected in the middle of the year. Construction of this first phase is expected to cost about $9 million and is being paid for with municipal electric revenue bonds. This first phase of the project, also called the "core construction", will connect EWEB electric substations and the headquarters building. The system will include capacity for the connection of EWEB water facilities, public agencies, schools and the University of Oregon. The system, comprised of a high-speed broadband fiber optic network, will provide access to data of all sorts. EWEB intends to use the system for such utility activities as monitoring substations, managing electric use and remote meter reading. The utility estimates that savings from cost reductions, combined with funds from leasing excess capacity to agencies, schools and others, will pay for the first phase of the system. EWEB's goal is to eventually provide broadband fiber optic connections to all interested homes and businesses. This could take place in two to four years. In anticipation of this, the Board approved the first phase of construction with the expectation that a neighborhood will be connected to the system as part of a residential pilot project. EWEB staff will continue to research possibilities for the pilot and will return to the Board with options in January 1999.
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