Last week, the Broadband Task Force hosted a kickoff meeting for a fiber feasibility study with newly-hired consultant, CTC Technology and Energy.

The Task Force met with CTC, who laid out how the next six months will go during the study and what Internet options the Task Force may be able to recommend to the Spring Hill City Council early next year.

The Task Force, with assistance from City staff, will work with a team of six people throughout the course of the study, which will include development of a system-level FTTP design and cost estimate, a business case for candidate network and development of policies and presentation and a written report as well as ranges of business models, evaluation of financing and funding options and legal and regulatory considerations. The study is expected to be completed in December or early January.

Options for better Internet speeds could include developing a city-run utility or making Spring Hill a more fiber-friendly community in an attempt to attract more Internet service providers as well as others. The Task Force will examine the pros and cons of each model and more to determine a recommendation.

“… Our focus is that we can provide broadband and service to residents as well [as businesses],” Melanie Landis, City finance director, said. “We want it to affect all of Spring Hill not just our business community. That’s something we made very clear in our expectations of the study is to make sure that’s included. While it may be somewhat of a challenge, I’m certain there are some creative ways to see that we can open the door for some additional service options.”

The Broadband Task Force will meet 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Spring Hill Community Center, 613 S. Race St., for its next regular meeting.