Vinton Issues RFI For Possible Broadband Partners

Having completed a municipal broadband utility feasibility study last year, the Vinton Communications Utility (VCU) is moving forward with its broadband plans by issuing an RFI for potential partnerships. 

For the past several weeks, a working group consisting of Vinton Utility board members and interested community members have been meeting to develop a plan to move beyond the feasibility study toward the implementation of a community fiber network. The RFI is part of that effort and is designed to identify entities that potentially partner with VCU. 

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"Vinton Communications Utility (VCU) is seeking to gauge the interest of capable entities to contract or otherwise partner with the utility to provide cost-competitive, reliable, high-capacity, gigabit speed broadband (Required Services) to all Vinton residents, businesses, and anchor institutions through an area-wide fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network or similarly performing technology.
This RFI provides prospective respondents with sufficient information to prepare and submit responses for the Required Services.  At its sole discretion, the Utility may conduct pre-submittal meetings with potential respondents.  Meetings may be held individually or in a group format.  Based on inquiries and meeting results, VCU may choose to issue addendums to this RFI.  It is solely the responsibility of potential respondents to request updates and addendums to this RFI." -- Vinton Communications Utility RFI

​Voters in Vinton approved the creation of a broadband utility in November 2015 by 88% after two previous efforts failed to gather a majority. Last year, FARR Technologies conducted a feasibility study that estimated the cost of a fiber-to-the-premise network in Vinton at $8.9 million.

To read the VCU Request for Information, CLICK HERE.