Ogden-based Connext aiming to extend fiber network to 150000 homes – Standard-Examiner

Guillermo Alvarenga, left, and Armando Hernandez work a machine that drills horizontal conduits, where new Connext fiber will ultimately be placed. They were assisting on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, with installation of a new fiber network in Clinton.Connext and Clinton officials clap after cutting a ceremonial ribbon on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, marking the launch of the first new section of fiber Connext is installing in the city.David Brown, chief executive officer of Ogden-based Connext, photographed in Clinton on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. Connext is installing a fiber system in Cinton.Guillermo Alvarenga, left, and Armando Hernandez work a machine that drills horizontal conduits, where new Connext fiber will ultimately be placed. They were assisting on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, with installation of a new fiber network in Clinton.David Brown, chief executive officer of Ogden-based Connext, photographed in Clinton on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. Connext is installing a fiber system in Cinton.

Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

Guillermo Alvarenga, left, and Armando Hernandez work a machine that drills horizontal conduits, where new Connext fiber will ultimately be placed. They were assisting on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, with installation of a new fiber network in Clinton.

CLINTON Connext has completed construction of the first phase of the new fiber network its installing in Clinton, meant to augment high-speed internet options in the city.

But its only the latest addition to the regions system of fiber in Weber and Davis counties the Ogden-based firm has much more planned in the two-county zone.

Connext is building networks in Farr West, Roy and Plain City, among other cities, and some of the initial sections of fiber in each locale have been completed and gone live. Company reps and Kaysville leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony last month to launch installation of a new fiber system there. Meanwhile, talks are ongoing with officials in several other cities, including Ogden, to bring more fiber to those locales.

Now weve passed a little over 5,000 homes in a pretty short period of time, Connext Chief Executive Officer David Brown said Friday at a ceremony to light-up the new fiber segment in Clinton, which passes around 2,000 homes. We intend to hit 150,000 homes in five years. Its a big ramp-up, but were on schedule for it.

Many cities across Weber and Davis counties have increasingly debated how to augment internet offerings in their locales, particularly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, incumbent operators like Comcast and CenturyLink arent available in all corners of all locales, which has given rise to the talk.

Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

Connext and Clinton officials clap after cutting a ceremonial ribbon on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, marking the launch of the first new section of fiber Connext is installing in the city.

I think its huge, Clinton Mayor Brandon Stanger said, alluding to the additional fiber in the city coming thanks to Connext. Theres a big push, especially with the need to work from home with COVID.

In addition to Clinton, Kaysville and Plain City, Brown said Connext has franchise agreements to build networks in Fruit Heights, South Weber and Willard, the Box Elder County city. Talks are ongoing about building networks in around 15 other locales, including Ogden.

Were most focused on Weber and Davis counties, Brown said, though the firm is also eying possibilities in Box Elder and Cache counties.

UTOPIA Fiber, a community-owned entity that operates fiber systems in numerous cities across Utah, has courted leaders in many cities in Weber and Davis counties and is also building new networks in the area. Last December, UTOPIA and Syracuse leaders broke ground on a new $23.5 million broadband network for the city. UTOPIA also manages fiber systems in Clearfield, Layton, West Point and Morgan, among many other cities.

UTOPIA and Connext, however, have very different operating models.

Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

David Brown, chief executive officer of Ogden-based Connext, photographed in Clinton on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. Connext is installing a fiber system in Cinton.

UTOPIA typically partners with cities, tapping its sister agency, UIA, to bond to cover network construction costs. Partner cities will back the bonds, if needed, but subscriber revenue is tapped to cover actual bond costs, which has precluded the need for out-of-pocket costs by cities.

As a private company, Connext, by contrast, fronts the costs of building networks, exposing cities to no risk. Thats huge for cities that are bond-averse or dont want the risk, Brown said.

Both UTOPIA and Connext typically engage in outreach in the locales where theyre mulling network expansion to make sure theres a solid base of potential subscribers to make installation of new fiber worth the cost and effort.

One difference though a customers monthly bill for service via a UTOPIA network typically includes a $30 fee to help cover payments of the bonding required to build the system. That makes for a typical monthly bill of around $60 to $65 for basic service.

Connext doesnt charge the $30 fee and its monthly residential plan costs go from $35 to $65 a month, depending on speed.

Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

Guillermo Alvarenga, left, and Armando Hernandez work a machine that drills horizontal conduits, where new Connext fiber will ultimately be placed. They were assisting on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, with installation of a new fiber network in Clinton.

Work on the new Connext network in Clinton, which will ultimately pass around 7,000 homes, started last October. It was originally scheduled to be finished in October 2023, but Brown thinks the work will be complete earlier.

The introduction of Connext in Clinton gives city residents more internet options, which is good so there isnt a monopoly, said Stanger, the mayor. I think more importantly, its going to give residents more options and higher speeds for less cost.

Dennis Cluff, the Clinton city manager, said the fact that Clinton doesnt have to back the financing used to build the Connext network figured big in the Clinton City Council decision to grant the firm a franchise agreement to operate.

Connext will provide service via the new network in Clinton, as with the fiber it has placed elsewhere. Brown said two other internet service providers may also tap the network.

David Brown, chief executive officer of Ogden-based Connext, photographed in Clinton on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. Connext is installing a fiber system in Cinton.

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Ogden-based Connext aiming to extend fiber network to 150000 homes - Standard-Examiner