The City of Beaumont is finalizing details to host a broadband network connecting residents and businesses to the fastest internet infrastructure available commercially in the world.

Following a competitive Request for Proposal process that closed in June, the city has selected a consortium led by Meridiam and Digital Infrastructure Group as the preferred proponent to finance, construct, own, operate, and maintain the network in collaboration with Beaumont. The proponent will manage the planning and construction of the network with an added focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.

The network will be constructed on an open-access basis, providing a level playing field for retailers to compete and offer telecommunications services to residents and businesses. Once installed, the network is designed to support internet speeds of up to 10 Gigabits per second.

Construction will begin pending finalization of project terms and weather conditions.

Network details

The consortium will lead the project design, delivery and financing of the project, as well as the operation of the network.

The network will consist of the highest speed broadband network available commercially in the world, with the capacity to transfer data at 10 Gigabits per second.

Once construction starts, the first customers are expected to be hooked up within 12 months, with full project completion within 36 months.

Background

The City of Beaumont initially entered into discussions with a proponent to host an ultra-high speed broadband service in 2019. As part of its due diligence and legal review, the City issued a Request for Proposals in April 2021 to assess the marketplace for other potential proponents with the ability to finance, design, build, own, operate, and maintain an open-access fibre optic network. The RFP closed June 4, 2021, with the successful proponent selected in August 2021.

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