Santa Monica launches 10GB Broadband Initiative

March 17, 2010 - PRLog -- Santa Monica, Calif. - The City of Santa Monica has launched a 10 Gigabit per second (GBPS) Fiber Optic Network, a milestone to their Santa Monica City Net broadband initiative.  The 10GBPS Fiber Optic Network will connect Santa Monica’s business community to over 160 ISPs in the Los Angeles data centers for affordable broadband options.  The national broadband plan proposed by the Federal Communications Commission sets a goal for download speeds at 100 megabits per second to the home and 1 gigabit per second for some institutions.  Santa Monica’s 10GBPS network will offer world-class postproduction, gaming, tech, and all local businesses broadband at speeds 10 times faster than the FCC’s set goal for institutions.

Jory Wolf, CIO for Santa Monica elaborates, “The technology for this service has been available for several years, but the key cost driver and prohibitive factor in secure advanced broadband adoption continues to be the construction costs to build out infrastructure to the end user.  The City of Santa Monica had adopted the practice of extending its fiber optic network when constructing any related City projects such as street renovations, water and sewer main installations, and traffic signal systems to leverage public funds.  By removing this barrier to entry, ISPs have the opportunity to offer affordable broadband solutions to an expanded market. In addition, having an open access fiber optic connection offers ISPs the ability to offer advanced IT services such as cloud computing, disaster recovery solutions, data storage, etc.

It is my belief that it is incumbent on governments and municipalities to facilitate delivery of IP services to their communities for stimulating the local economy, facilitating creation of jobs and educational and life-long learning initiatives and assure that all constituents have access to advanced broadband as defined by Section 6002 of the House Bill, 45/15MBPS.  Furthermore, the FCC’s goal of 100MBPS for homes and 1GBPS for institutions is obtainable and required to support our nation’s IT demands.

As long as there is an Open Access policy, it serves the best interests of both the public, ISPs, and delivery partners.  Municipalities that fail to offer an infrastructure where businesses have all components essential for operations – space, power, water, broadband, etc. risk losing the most stable industries in the current economy.  Furthermore, if the United States is to compete globally, a fiber optic network is the backbone and requirement of all educational, business, and civic operations in the future.”

Gary Carter, manages the broadband initiative and explains, “Our IP Transport model was designed specifically for our local businesses and will provide competitive ISP options.  We have deployed a scalable, cost-effective, broadband model that is consistent with the requirements of our local businesses.  The input and support we received from our business community, ISPs, and vendors, along with the expertise of our Network Engineers Dan Suzewitz and Juho Choi were integral to the network design and successful launch. “

The Fiber Optic Network will complement the City’s popular free City Wi-Fi program, whereby residents and visitors can access 21 free Wi-Fi hot zones at parks, beaches, libraries, and the Third Street Promenade.  Santa Monica has a record of accomplishments in technology projects since the City first offered services online in 1989.  The City recently won first place in the Center for Digital Government Digital Cities Survey for populations 75,000 to 124,999.  Other current technology projects include real-time parking information on the web, a traffic signal synchronization system to hold the lights green for efficient public transportation, and an iPhone app “GORequest” that allows users to request service or communicate with the City via iPhone.

Any ISPs or businesses requiring a fiber optic connection to a Santa business can request additional info at www.smcitynet.com or iPhone if they prefer.

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