Construction of fiber optic outlying areas in Friesland should start in the spring of 2017
Kabelnoord wants to install fiber optics in the outlying areas of all municipalities in the province of Friesland. These are areas where there is not yet a good internet connection. Construction is expected to start in the spring of 2017.
The Provincial Executive reached a proposed decision on Tuesday about the installation of fiber optic in the areas. At the end of September, a final decision must be taken by the shareholding municipalities of Kabelnoord and the Provincial Council. A tender can then be issued from October to December and a contractor can be selected for the construction.
Kabelnoord says that it will be announced in October which postcodes have been selected for construction. The first construction area must then be determined in December. At least 60 percent of residents must agree. If that is the case, construction can start in the spring of 2017. According to Kabelnoord, this concerns almost 25,000 potential connections.
Kabelnoord has already connected 16,000 plots in Northeast Friesland to fiber optics. The province of Friesland is buying shares in Kabelnoord and the municipalities involved may also do the same. The extra capital from the new shareholders will enable Kabelnoord to finance the construction, which is estimated at 70 million euros.
Residents of the areas who want to purchase fiber optic in the future will pay a contribution of 15 euros per month for the installation costs. That amount is in addition to the costs of the subscription for services such as internet, television and calling. After installation, subscriptions can be purchased from various providers.
The aim is for Kabelnoord to provide 95 percent of all ‘white addresses’ in Friesland with a fiber optic connection within three years. Fast internet is not yet available at these white addresses. The province is looking for customized solutions for the most expensive five percent of the ‘white area’. An action plan will be drawn up for this later this year.