Grosse Pointe Communities Considering Fiber Ring

The Grosse Pointe communities are mulling construction of a new fiber optic ring, which would offer one gigabit internet area wide. While the initial project would only offer service to schools and government, other municipalities with fiber rings have extended service to residents. The schools and towns will partner with Rocket Fiber on the project. The internet service provider, based in Detroit and created by Quicken Loans, began expanding operations in 2017, adding new staff in customer service and technology.

Grosse Pointe Public School System Superintendent Gary Niehaus says that the ring would save the schools money. “We spend about $225,000 a year for our internet services. In essence, for us, it would be an opportunity not to have to pay that on an annual basis,” he told the Grosse Pointe News.

The network would be built using funds held provided by a partnership between the schools and the towns, after which it would become the property of the schools and the municipalities. Niehaus estimates that the ring would cost about $3.5 million.

Read full coverage of this story in the Grosse Pointe News.

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