Media Releases Email this page to further the Fiber For The Future Initiative. Lafayette Wins Fiber Election July 16, 2005 (Lafayette, LA) - On July 16, voters gave LCG and LUS permission to issue up to $125 million in bonds to extend fiber to every home and business in the city, offering Internet, telephone and TV service. The measure was approved 62 percent to 38 percent. Turnout was 27.2 percent of the 74,000 registered voters, according to officials who had predicted a 15 percent turnout.
The election is one step in a lengthy process in order for the first customers to be connected. The Public Service Commission will need to adopt business rules for the new telecommunications venture, the council will have to approve a bond ordinance, and the council will also have to approve a new budget for the communications division.
The first customer will be served in 18 to 24 months, barring no delays in the project. City-Parish President Joey Durel said, “The citizens have spoken, and we will continue to work diligently to move the process forward.”
LUS anticipates hiring 50 employees for the new telecommunications division, as well as many contractors to assist with the deployment of the fiber network.
Citizens, who choose to subscribe to the system, will be able to choose one, two, or all three services. There will also be no deposits, no connection fee, and no contracts in order to receive these telecommunications services.
To date, LUS will be the largest municipally owned utility in the United States with a fiber-to-the-home network. Durel said Lafayette has the opportunity to gain national attention for this advanced communications system.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Allison Dickerson Public Information Specialist Lafayette Utilities System 337.291.5822 office 337.349.9779 cell June 23, 2005 Media Release: Response To The Heartland Institute's Attack On The LUS Fiber Plan June 22, 2005 Media Release: BellSouth Plan Inadequate For City's Future June 15, 2005: LUS Responds to Opposition: Claim Ads Misleading |
