Broadband Internet

We do not currently offer broadband services. Nevertheless, because our members and community leaders have expressed interest in increased access to broadband, we have explored the benefits and costs associated with offering broadband service.

We’ve taken a detailed approach to evaluate if providing broadband is in the best interest of our members, both in the short- and long-term. We partnered with an industry-leading consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study that incorporates member feedback and evaluation of our financials.

The research shows that providing residential and commercial broadband service in our area would require a significant investment, as much as a $120 million in capital costs for hiring, labor, construction, equipment, sales, marketing, etc.

With this research and analysis by a third-party expert and support from PVREA leadership and the Board of Directors, we will not pursue being an end-user provider. To be a part of the solution, we’ve developed a plan to help enable broadband service and attract retail broadband providers in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

We’re already upgrading our network by constructing fiber optic cable to our substations to improve communication and better manage our electric grid. We’ve expanded our construction plan to include the capacity that enables the middle mile – the backbone of the broadband network. Building the middle mile will help attract and open the door for third-party broadband providers, supporting the availability of service at reasonable costs for homes and businesses.

We support broadband delivery and will do our part to enable it by adding construction of the middle mile to our current build-out at a manageable cost.

As an electric cooperative owned and governed by the members we serve, we have a financial responsibility to our members to keep PVREA financially strong and to avoid subsidization of broadband by the electric service we provide.

Because of our prudent fiscal management, we can plan for construction of the middle mile backbone fiber network without placing a strain on our finances. By committing only to the construction of the middle mile, we are shielding our members from the financial risks of building and operating the last mile – the section of the network connecting the middle mile and the actual home or business to which broadband is being delivered. This will ensure our members’ electric rates are unaffected.

Not in the foreseeable future. In addition to a major investment in hiring, training and research, the feasibility study also showed the broadband business model would never generate a return on our investment – there would always be more money going out than coming in.

So, at this time, we will best serve our members by continuing to focus on our core business. We are committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity, but at this point, not broadband. We believe leasing our fiber optic backbone network to a third-party is the most reasonable approach considering retail broadband providers have the expertise and personnel we lack.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for broadband access. Some rural electric cooperatives in Colorado are in a good position to utilize new technologies and add a broadband service offering, while others have decided against pursuing broadband projects because of the costs and financial risks.

Our service territory is unique compared to other service territories because we have a lower population density – just 10 members per mile of electric distribution line. According to the Colorado Rural Electric Association, municipal utilities serving more urban environments, like our neighbors in Fort Collins, average 48 customers per mile, and therefore an investment in broadband is less risky and likely to generate a higher return.