High speed Internet access is critical for a growing number of business sectors, but should the City of Prince George become a provider of ultra-high-speed fibre optic services?
That is the question which council will need to come to grips with tonight. A business case for developing the $3 million to $5 million network will before city council tonight.
Under the proposed business case, the service would be built out in three phases, starting with the downtown core. The Carter Light Industrial area and proposed Boundary Road industrial park would be included in phases two and three.
In a report to city council, Stantec Consulting's Enzo D'Agostini advised a more detailed business case should be completed before any decision is made to develop the service.
In his report, D'Agostini estimated the project would take 22 years for user fees to repay the taxpayer investment. After 22 years, however, the system would generate a profit for the city.
In 10 years, the second phase of the project would likely be generating revenue for the city, he said.
"Stantec Consulting Ltd. concludes that the proposed municipal fibre network is viable in the long term without grant funding and would provide value to the community," city manager of information services Bill Johnson wrote in his report to council. "Given the cost of this project, prior to seeking a go or no go from council, it would be prudent to have a phase two business plan developed. A phase two business plan would make the project
shovel ready - funding for the business plan would come from the Community Works Fund Reserve."
Council will debate the issue at it's regular meeting at 7 p.m. tonight.
