ErieNet Community Fiber Optic Broadband Network

Overview

Our mission is to create a foundation to address the broadband needs of unserved areas, improve services in underserved areas of the community and enable world-class broadband investment and deployment countywide.

• The fiber optic backbone is owned by the county but managed and controlled by ErieNet, a not-for-profit local development corporation (LDC).

• ErieNet is open for any viable entity to use or provide services to support broadband technologies and services.

• It is intended to enhance economic development opportunities, promote a better quality of life and enhance Erie County as a globally competitive community

Network

Funds received from the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) will pay for the fiber network construction.

• The intention is to create a self-sustaining network where enterprise, carrier, and other customers that desire to manage and control their own broadband networks pay a fee for access to the ErieNet fiber-optic network.

• The fees will be used to support the long-term operations of the network

Impact

ErieNet is a wholesale provider of broadband capacity throughout the county, leasing dark and lit optical fiber access to carriers, enterprises, and other entities that desire to manage and control their own broadband networks.

• For example, the unlimited bandwidth provided by the dark fiber will be available directly to “anchor institutions,” including businesses and industry, schools, health care, public safety facilities, government offices, and libraries.

• ErieNet is focused on partnerships with service providers and enterprise entities, encouraging the use of the ErieNet backbone to expand competitive services and create efficiencies throughout the county.

• ErieNet is meant to complement existing carrier infrastructure so as to not devalue the existing investments in our communities.