Fiber optic cable study could boost internet speeds

What is the potential for internet connectivity — of local governments, businesses and residents — that lies within the more than 360 miles of publicly owned fiber optic cable buried in loops and possibly fragments across Monroe County?

That question will be answered in stages. Step one is to hire an industry expert to assess the capacity and offer recommendations.

Rochester and Monroe County will jointly release a request for proposals on Friday, officials said, setting a Jan. 8, deadline for responses.

The network today is focused on downtown and extends in loops as far out as Ogden and Webster. It is utilized by the county's public safety communications system, city police and fire as well as suburban police departments, public works, libraries, school districts. There is redundancy downtown, allowing for super high speeds that high tech companies desire.

But there is unused capacity. In fact, officials have estimated that only about 18 percent of the capacity is being used.

"We have fiber in the ground that is currently dark," Mayor Lovely Warren said during a news conference announcing the joint effort. "It's a resource we have that other communities want."

Much of the network is county owned, laid by crews as they installed or repaired other underground utilities like sewer lines. It has been there, in some capacity, for 20 years, County Executive Maggie Brooks said.

There is great opportunity not just for expanded public uses, she said, but in public-private partnerships. The goal, however, is not to compete against the private sector. And, at this point, there is no financial commitment to invest further in the network.

"We're looking at what we have now," Brooks said, "not necessarily to expand out."

BDSHARP@Gannett.com