ARIZONA – The Arizona government indicated that after reaching an agreement with eX² Technology to improve and expand broadband internet access in rural areas, installation of fiber optic infrastructure along Interstates 17 and 19 will begin shortly.
The Arizona Department of Transportation, in partnership with Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Commerce Authority, recently signed an agreement with eX² Technology, an Omaha, Nebraska-based company with extensive experience working with state and local governments to manage what is often referred to as middle-mile fiber optic infrastructure.
This partnership represents the next step in leveraging state open access conduits installed by ADOT to extend broadband Internet access to homes and businesses in rural Arizona. It complements a state law that allows private broadband providers to install, operate and maintain telecommunications equipment within ADOT right-of-way using conduits installed along state highways.
“The investment of a robust statewide middle-mile program will connect Arizonans in rural and tribal areas to quality broadband, providing families with access to good jobs, quality healthcare and education, and positioning Arizona to continue its dynamic growth for years to come,” said Gov. Katie Hobbs.
In addition to the benefits for rural broadband connectivity, ADOT plans to use the fiber optic conduit to provide intelligent transportation systems technology, such as overhead message boards, traffic cameras, weather stations and wrong-way driving detection. The infrastructure will also help lay the groundwork for emerging technologies such as connected and automated vehicles.
The initial scope of the 25-year agreement includes fiber optic conduits along I-17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff, I-19 from Tucson to Nogales, and conduits to be installed on Interstate 40 from Flagstaff to California. Internet service providers looking to expand broadband Internet access will be able to lease it, something that will likely begin to happen in the next few months.
The new fiber optic conduit will also boost historic broadband expansion efforts in underserved and underserved areas of the state, including more than $1 billion in funding to implement the Broadband Equitable Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the Digital Equity Program established through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
