Springfield approvals allow high-speed fiber competition
SPRINGFIELD — A national company received approvals to install high-speed fiber in several neighborhoods after the company promised to eventually wire all areas of the city and offered other ways to bridge the digital gap.
Although the 27 permits GoNetspeed applied for to do work mainly in tree belts were routine, concerns that the company would skip the city's poorest neighborhoods sparked hours of City Council debate during at least three meetings and multiple delays.
During those meetings and in a letter, the company said it planned to install fiber in every area of the city in a roughly $100 million five-phase project that will take the company past 2030 and provide a new and less-expensive option for residents.
"GoNetspeed intends to build out Springfield in a phased approach," Thomas A. Perrone, chief operating officer said in a letter. "Construction sequencing is dependent on many factors … We ask that future City Council permit approvals be expedited and work in conjunction with GoNetspeed to expand the builds to areas of interest."
The company has already installed fiber, mainly in the Indian Orchard neighborhood, and is serving about 5,000 customers. The permit approvals will allow it to connect an additional 10,000 homes and businesses as soon as the end of this year, the letter said.
"Springfield is another community that will be transformed with access to more competition, incredibly fast internet speeds, and significantly better pricing across the board," Perrone said after the 11-2 City Council vote, calling the move a major milestone.
A map of the phases shows the company plans to install fiber in the Boston Road, Pine Point and East Forest Park areas this year and in 2026. The 16 Acres neighborhood will follow in 2026 through 2028. The company will start in Forest Park, Six Corners and Old Hill in 2027 and in Liberty Heights, Metro and McKnight in 2028 through 2030. The map also shows a phase five in the Bay, Brightwood, East Springfield and Upper Hill neighborhoods and many other places scattered throughout the city where underground and commercial connections will be needed.
Several city councilors said they continue to be concerned that there is no formal commitment from GoNetspeed to finish out the plan and may leave residents in the same position they are now with no competition and a more-expensive and slower-speed cable.
"I'm a little disappointed they couldn't make more of a binding commitment," said Councilor Malo Brown, who voted against the proposal.
But Councilor Jose Delgado, who also leads a City Council task force that is studying digital equity, said there was a lot of back-and-forth during the meetings and he said he is "cautiously optimistic" the project will benefit the city.
"I didn't get everything I wanted but sometimes you have to find a middle ground," Delgado said.
When councilors asked why the city couldn't compel the company to sign an agreement, Christopher Cignoli, director of the Department of Public Works, said Springfield doesn't have any authority to do so and withholding permits would be illegal.
GoNetspeed is expanding into the city on its own and is not taking any money from the city for the project. In the past it has worked with other communities who have requested and helped pay for fiber installations but that is not the case here, officials said.
Federal law also requires equal access for all types of utility companies that want to come into the city, Cignoli said.
"I don't want to support anything that will break the law," City Councilor Kateri Walsh said. "People are waiting for this service, so let's get it done."
City Councilor Melvin Edwards agreed, saying failing to approve the routine permits could land the city in court.
City councilor Zaida Govan, who represents the Indian Orchard neighborhood, said she signed up for GoNetspeed when it came to her street, is very pleased with it and believes the rest of the city will benefit from the competition.
GoNetspeed also agreed in the letter to provide free fiber internet for three years at a senior center and free digital literacy classes to help close the digital gap.
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