New Partnership to Boost Broadband Access in Rural Arizona
Efforts to enhance internet connectivity in Arizona’s rural regions are gaining momentum through a strategic collaboration between public and private sectors. A significant agreement with eX² Technology aims to manage fiber-optic conduits along major highways, facilitating broader broadband access.
PHOENIX, AZ (April 24, 2024) – Aiming to expand broadband services in rural Arizona, a new public-private partnership has been established. The Arizona Department of Transportation, in collaboration with Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Commerce Authority, has engaged eX² Technology to manage fiber-optic conduits along Interstates 17 and 19, with future plans for Interstate 40.
eX² Technology, based in Omaha, Nebraska, brings its expertise in middle-mile fiber-optic infrastructure to this partnership, which seeks to utilize state-installed conduits to improve internet access in remote areas. This initiative supports a state law permitting private companies to install and manage telecom equipment in these conduits within ADOT’s highway rights of way.
This investment of a robust statewide middle-mile program will connect Arizonans in rural and tribal lands to quality broadband, providing families access to good jobs, quality healthcare and education, and positioning Arizona to continue its dynamic growth for years,
stated Governor Katie Hobbs.
Beyond enhancing internet connectivity, ADOT will leverage this infrastructure for intelligent transportation systems, including traffic management technologies. This setup is also expected to support future advancements in connected and automated vehicle technologies.
ADOT Director Jennifer Toth expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying, We appreciate the support and collaboration from the Governor’s Office and our colleagues at the Arizona Commerce Authority and are excited to be a part of this transformative project. We continue to safely connect people and empower our state’s economy.
The 25-year agreement’s initial phase includes conduit installations along I-17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff, I-19 from Tucson to Nogales, and planned installations on I-40 from Flagstaff to California. Internet service providers can lease these conduits to extend broadband services, with activity likely ramping up soon.
Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, noted, This agreement represents a significant step forward in our efforts to bring high-speed broadband to all Arizonans. The enhanced connectivity along I-17 and I-19 opens new opportunities for rural communities and will catalyze additional public and private sector investments across the state. We’re grateful for Governor Hobbs’ leadership on broadband and our important partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The new fiber-optic conduits also bolster the state’s historic broadband expansion, supported by over $1 billion in funding through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the Digital Equity Program. These initiatives, managed by the State Broadband Office within the Arizona Commerce Authority, aim for universal broadband access across Arizona.
For more information on Arizona’s broadband initiatives, visit the State Broadband Office’s site at azcommerce.com/broadband.
Details of ADOT’s broadband projects, including maps of fiber-optic conduits, can be accessed at azdot.gov/broadband.
Contact Information: ADOT Public Information Office, [email protected]
Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]
About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is a leading economic development organization focused on enhancing Arizona’s economy. By attracting new businesses, supporting existing businesses, and fostering entrepreneurship, the ACA aims to create a thriving economic environment. Learn more at azcommerce.com and follow their updates on Twitter @azcommerce.
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