A fast-paced world is about to get faster in Pine Bluffs. RT Communications will invest nearly $2 million over the next two years in a Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network in Pine Bluffs. This network will replace the traditional copper-based infrastructure. Once the project is complete, homes and business in Pine Bluffs will have access to internet speeds up to 1 gigabyte (1,000 Mbps), which is 100 times faster than the average speed available in Wyoming.
Becky Dooley, Vice President/GM, says, "RT Communications plans to place fiber in all of our exchanges. We have completed fiber in Worland and Thermopolis, and we are now moving forward with Newcastle and Pine Bluffs. We are deeply committed to the communities we serve and realize the benefits of fiber are important to them."
Beginning in March 2017, RT Communications Engineers will be in Pine Bluffs to begin prep work for the FTTH project. This will involve staking property locations for the future fiber optic cable facilities.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2017. At that time, RT Communications will be placing new "drops" or service lines to every home in the Phase 1 area which is identified as the Eastern portion of Pine Bluffs. Work in the Phase 2 area described as the Western portion of town will follow in 2018. The entire project should be completed around the end of 2018.
RT Communications customers in Pine Bluffs do not need to sign up to be included in the FTTH network, and there is no cost to the customer for the upgrades.