Spencer Municipal Utilities (SMU) in Iowa is expanding an upgrade project to bring fiber to approximately 2,000 additional premises. A little over a year ago, we reported on the switch from coax cable to fiber for 700 municipal network customers with no rate increase. According to the Spencer Daily Reporter, the original project is almost completed; the expanded upgrade will cost approximately $4.5 million.
Amanda Gloyd, marketing and community relations manager, told the Daily Reporter:
Since SMU first began offering Internet service to customers the amount used by customers has increased and we expect to see that continue. For example, the average peak usage from customers in the fall of 2010 was 125MB and today it averages around 800MB with maximums over 1,200 MB. The project to convert the whole town of Spencer will take several years and we continue to develop plans for future projects.
In April, the SMU Board of trustees approved a modest rate increase for video and Internet access to help defray increased costs for video content and increased demand on the system. The last time rates went up for video service was early 2013; residential Internet access rates have remained the same since November 2011.
New rates went into effect on June 1. Internet access rates range from $20 per month for 1 Mbps/256 Kbps to $225 per month for 100 Mbps/10 Mbps. Basic level video service begins at $14 per month; “Basic Plus” is $50.75 per month. Digital service and a range of channel choices are available as add-ons.
SMU also provides voice and partners with T-Mobile to provide wireless phone service in the community. The network began serving customers in 2000.
Spencer, population 11,300, is located in the northwest section of the state. In the Community Broadband Bits podcast episode #13, Chris spoke with Curtis Dean of the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU). Dean shared a story about Hansen’s Clothing, a local upscale clothier in Spencer. Thanks to the presence of the SMU network, Hansen’s was able to expand its sales to the online marketplace. Hansen’s was struggling until it obtained the ability to reach clientele in New York and Los Angeles. The fresh business allowed Hansen’s to flourish.