TCPalm Newspaper, June 20, 2012
Martin County will save $30 million over the next 20 years because of its decision to build its own fiber-optic cable instead of continuing to lease cable from Comcast, according to a report by a research group with offices in Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis. The county decided to build its own system after Comcast said it would raise its monthly fee from $10,500 to $98,261 over six years.
In addition to cost savings, the county system is more reliable than Comcast’s cables, Kevin Kryzda, who heads the county’s Information Technology Services Department, said.
“Our cables are underground now,” Kryzda said. “We have seven redundant routes to provide backup if there’s a problem.” Underground cables are less subject to damage from high winds or vehicles hitting the poles, he said.
Local governments have more control over their budgets because they no longer have to fear rate increases from Comcast, the report said.
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance reviewed Martin County’s system and how it came about as part of its study of broadband systems around the country.
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