Lexington, Kentucky could become the largest U.S. gigabit city if MetroNet plans to build a citywide gigabit network there proceed as planned. Lexington mayor Jim Gray announced the plans at a press conference today.
The network is expected to cost MetroNet at least $70 million to build and to begin serving some customers in 2018, according to local news outlet the Herald Ledger. There will be no cost to the city, according to that report.
The deal hinges on MetroNet receiving a franchise agreement with the city to provide video service in competition with two existing video providers, according to the Herald Ledger.
Largest U.S. Gigabit City
Lexington has a population of 318,449, not quite twice that of Chattanooga (population 167,674), which as of now is the only major city to have gigabit available to all residents. Some larger cities have gigabit service in some areas but not citywide.
Gray reportedly has been pushing to get gigabit service in Lexington as a means of attracting high-tech jobs to the city, which is home to several colleges and universities. The Chattanooga gigabit deployment had a strong positive impact on the local economy, attracting a range of new businesses.
“We are a university city with growing jobs and tech sectors and advanced industries that need to be connected to the world,” said Gray in announcing the MetroNet plans today in a video posted on the Herald Ledger website.
MetroNet apparently plans to build a fiber-to-the-home network in Lexington, as the company’s website touts the advantages of a “100% fiber network.”
The company got its start in 2005 and now operates in more than 25 communities, according to the website.
Pricing for gigabit service in Lexington was not revealed, but MetroNet currently charges $69.95 in other markets where broadband is available at that speed.
Image courtesy of flickr user Sean MacEntee.
Google Fiber covers over half of Kansas City metro so far, which is 2.1M population, so over 1M covered.
I think by largest, they mean cities that offer FTTH gigabit to 100% of residents. Google Fiber and Verizon have bigger FTTH markets, but they don't currently cover 100% of a city.
Do any of you know how harmful this 5g is.? We don't want it in our city