IDAHO FALLS -- The Idaho Falls Fiber Network, the city’s community-owned fiber network, has officially completed its citywide buildout, marking a significant milestone in developing affordable and reliable broadband infrastructure for the entire city.
With this completion, every home and business in Idaho Falls now has access to world-class, high-speed fiber internet, making it the largest open-access network in Idaho.
“Our goal has always been to provide every Idaho Falls resident with fast, affordable, and reliable internet,” said Bear Prairie, General Manager of Idaho Falls Power and Idaho Falls Fiber. “We’ve not only met our goal of completing the network within four years, but we’ve exceeded our expectations by consistently signing up over 35% of available households each year. This is just the beginning—more people are discovering the value of a fiber-optic connection, and we’re excited to see continued growth.”
The ambitious project, which began in 2019, represents a major investment in the city’s future. Over the past five years, Idaho Falls Fiber has delivered cutting-edge internet access to thousands of residents, overcoming challenges such as the global pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and inflation.
“The credit for this incredibly fast buildout really goes first to the teams that did the work, rain or shine, in both hot and freezing cold weather. Our installation teams even invented technology and designed boring equipment to minimize the amount of above-ground digging, and all the disruption that causes,” said Mayor Rebecca Casper. “In addition, the leadership vision on this, from Director Prairie to the City Council, has been nothing short of impressive. It is rare for communities to have the foresight, wisdom, and alignment of purpose that Idaho Falls has seen on this project. Our citizens and business owners will benefit from this for generations.”
The city’s fiber network is built on the foundation of Idaho Falls Power’s existing infrastructure, allowing for seamless and efficient deployment across the city.
Idaho Falls Fiber is designed with future generations in mind. The network offers stable speeds up AND down, which ensures a seamless experience for everything from remote work and online education to gaming and streaming. Each customer receives a dedicated fiber line with no shared connections, ensuring maximum bandwidth, performance and reliability.
Key benefits of joining Idaho Falls Fiber include:
As a community-owned network, Idaho Falls Fiber’s success directly benefits residents. Revenue generated from the service is reinvested into the network, helping to keep prices low and services top-tier. Additionally, the network helps to support the local economy and fosters community pride.
“We’re encouraging residents to sign up for Idaho Falls Fiber because the more customers we have, the more we can invest back into the community,” added Prairie. “With more sign-ups, we can keep prices stable or even reduce them over time while enhancing the services we offer.”While the city’s fiber buildout is now complete, Idaho Falls Fiber is committed to supporting continued growth and expansion. As the city grows, the fiber network will continue to expand into new areas, ensuring that future residents and businesses also have access to this state-of-the-art infrastructure. The ongoing expansion reflects Idaho Falls’ dedication to staying at the forefront of technology and maintaining its position as a leader in providing high-quality, affordable broadband.
For more information on the Idaho Falls Fiber Network, including service availability, pricing, and how to sign up, visit www.idahofallsfiber.com or stop by the Idaho Falls Fiber office at 140 South Capital in Idaho Falls.
# # #
About Idaho Falls Fiber: Idaho Falls Fiber is a city-owned, not-for-profit utility that operates as part of Idaho Falls Power. It is dedicated to providing high-speed fiber-optic broadband service to residents and businesses in Idaho Falls, with the goal of improving connectivity, supporting economic development, and enhancing the quality of life for the community.
Media Contact: To schedule an interview, please contact City of Idaho Falls Public Information Officer Eric Grossarth at (208) 612-8562 or egrossarth@idahofalls.gov