Breckenridge is working on its broadband strategic plan and is in the process of prioritizing areas to connect the network to in the coming months. 

Officials received an update at a Sept. 10 meeting regarding the progress being made on one of the town’s most popular roads and uncertainties surrounding aspects of the plan. 

The town has spent around $26.7 million on creating a reliable fiber-optic network since efforts began in 2019, according to the finance department. Breckenridge’s public works department estimates around 800 users are connected to the network. 

According to a staff memo from the Sept. 10 meeting, the average take rate — the number of potential subscribers with access to the network who choose to subscribe — across the entire town is 21% as of January 2024. Additionally, the town has activated approximately 30 Wi-Fi locations throughout the core of town. 

The town’s focus recently for the Fiber9600 project has been to provide internet to workforce housing, anchor institutions and town facilities. It is currently looking at different technologies to create more ways to connect to the network.

The current provider for the project is ALLO Communications. 

The town’s intention to provide reliable and affordable internet services for residents, businesses and visitors dates back to 2018 with construction ramping up in 2019.

Originally, the Breckenridge Town Council in 2018 approved $10 million in initial funding for the effort. Phase 1 of construction wrapped in 2019 and resulted in 140 customers being activated in a network that covered 64,000 linear feet of roadway at a cost of $10.3 million. 

The town also secured a Department of Local Affairs grant in 2021 for $850,000 to get the Vista Verde workforce housing development connected to the network. 

An extensive fiber network was completed at the end of 2023 that covered around 30 miles of roadway and passed approximately 43% of the town’s streets. Around 710 customers were activated, 124 of which were business. 

Essential Broadband Consulting was brought on this year to provide strategic planning services for the town to determine next best steps for the fiber network build out. 

“We have a bit of work to do to really come back to you with a clear understanding of purpose and need for this project,” town manager Shannon Haynes told council, noting the process has taken longer than anticipated but hopefully will result in a good end product. 

A major component that needs to be determined before the strategic plan is completed is the full cost of building fiber to the remaining areas of town. A staff memo detailed the town needs to solicit bids from companies to design the remaining areas. 

Market density was described as a “key decision criterion” as the town works towards building out the network since it is more expensive to serve areas with less residential and commercial density. 

Haynes said the town is working on understanding where the service is most needed. She said officials are now working on what is considered to be “low-hanging fruit” by working to provide service to multi-dwelling units along Four O’Clock Road and Breckenridge Grand Vacations properties in the area after the company showed interest in connecting to the network. 

Public works assistant director Kristin Brownson said $2 million is needed to complete work on Four O’Clock road for 2025 and noted a lot of progress has been made so far on the road this year. She said alongside Breckenridge Grand Vacations’ interest in connecting to the network, numerous homeowner’s associations have also shown interest. She added once it is completed customer intake and revenue will be increased. Next immediate steps in the plan to connect more places to the fiber network includes work on Crystal Peak Lodge on Peak 7. 

Haynes said the town is also looking into fixed wireless access technology to potentially bring internet to residents as it was determined some areas of town aren’t fit for a conduit to run through the ground. 

Council member Dick Carleton wondered if ALLO Communications was the best partner to carry out the plan. Haynes said that question was a part of the analysis the town was carrying out with Essential Broadband Consulting.

Council showed support for the $2 million needed in 2025 and were told costs for work happening beyond that haven’t been determined as the strategic plan hasn’t been completed.