Courtesy-City of Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus Board of Public Works approved a Master Development Agreement (MDA) with Meridiam providing fiber-optic cable for much of Columbus on Tuesday. The 30-year agreement says that Meridiam’s goal is to provide fiber Internet that can reach a minimum of 85% of the community in Columbus.
Fiber Internet has a symmetrical connection, meaning upload and download speeds are equal. This sort of high-speed connection is ideal in work environments.
The project, which initially was supposed to be finished in 18 months, will take longer due to restrictions on how many Duke Energy pole requests can be made per month statewide, but the 13 miles of conduit that the City of Columbus already has will be an advantage in making the process easier.
Mayor Lienhoop noted that he liked the appeal that fiber Internet could garner given the increase in remote work and e-learning.
Shelbyville, Bloomington, Martinsville, and Bartholomew County are also considering similar MDAs with Meridiam.
