The city now has a deal that promises internet access to the entire city. It’s putting up $2 million to make it happen. However, we should remember that this promise has been made before so we should “Remember CenturyLink.”
Tuesday night, the Monroe City Council’s unanimously approved a contract with AT&T to lay fiber optic cables throughout the city is a landmark decision that promises to transform the digital landscape of Monroe.
The $27 million project involves AT&T investing $25 million, and the city contributing $2 million. It is set to provide high-speed broadband access to every resident, including those in underserved areas like the Southside.
The promise of affordable internet access starting at $30 per month for 100 Mbps speeds is particularly noteworthy, as it aims to make high-speed internet accessible to a broader demographic.
However, it is essential to heed the warnings voiced by Christopher Orange, Sr. who warned that we have seen similar promises such as these in the past, in which big companies use up the subsidies and then leave without providing the promised product.
Orange’s concerns are rooted in past experiences with service providers like CenturyLink, now Lumens Corporation, which failed to deliver on their promises despite substantial investments.
His call for a failover plan to ensure service continuity if AT&T does not meet expectations is a prudent reminder of the importance of accountability and long-term reliability.
The council must ensure that the excitement surrounding this project does not overshadow the need for stringent safeguards.
The contract includes provisions for a high-performance, highly secure IP network with 99% system uptime, which is promising.
However, the council must remain vigilant and be proactive in monitoring the project’s progress and enforcing the terms of the agreement.
While the base plan offers 100 Mbps speeds, it is crucial to address the needs of residents who may require higher speeds for activities such as remote work, online education, and telehealth services. These should be available at an affordable cost as well.
Ensuring that affordable options for higher-speed plans are available will be key to maximizing the benefits of this new infrastructure.
The deal with AT&T is admirable, especially if AT&T doesn’t pack up and leave.
The warnings should be heeded as we “remember Centurylink.”
