The City of Johnston leaders approved an agreement for a cutting-edge fiber optic telecommunication company, MetroNet, to begin construction of a network for high-speed fiber optic internet, TV and phone service throughout the community. The company offers 100 percent fiber-optic connections directly to homes and businesses with speeds ranging from 100 Megabits to 1 Gigabit per second.
“This is more than just having a company providing faster internet and great customer service,” said Johnston Mayor Paula Dierenfeld. “It is a priority of the City Council to see broadband service available because it opens economic development options for our businesses, entrepreneurs, health care facilities and homeowners who want and need faster service,” said the Mayor.
The City of Johnston is also preparing to begin conducting a Broadband Community Visioning Process to determine future community broadband needs and ways in which the City can invest in or encourage investment in broadband infrastructure to serve all residents.
MetroNet is a private sector provider based in Indiana. The construction and operation of their 100 percent fiber-optic network is funded by MetroNet and its investors and requires no funding commitment from the City of Johnston. MetroNet plans to begin construction in early 2021 and expects the build-out to take approximately one year, with the first customers expected to begin receiving service in the coming year.
When construction of the fiber optic network begins, residents and businesses will be able to visit metronetinc.com/johnston and indicate their interest in receiving information about becoming a MetroNet customer and construction in their area.