The History of UTOPIAFiber
From 2001 to 2024
2001
The legislature passes Utah Code Ann. 10-18-201, 202, 203, 204 restricting municipal telecommunications and establishing a wholesale model
2002-2004
In May of 2002 UTOPIA Fiber is formed as allowed by the Interlocal Cooperation Act (Title 11 Chapter 13). The first feasibility studies are performed and 11 pledging cities bonded money for construction costs to start building out the network. These original pledging cities are Tremonton, Brigham City, Perry City, Layton, Centerville, West Valley City, Murray, Midvale, Lindon, Orem, and Payson. Pledging cities also commit to cover bond payments should UTOPIA become unable to service the debt through subscriber revenues.
An $85 million bond is issued and construction begins in West Valley City, Midvale, Murray, Orem, Lindon, and Payson.
Qwest refuses to grant access to poles causing various random spots in our footprints to not be built out with a lot of abandoned infrastructure.
2005
UTOPIA Fiber’s first customer is connected in Orem, UT
2006
A $30 million bond was issued to continue the buildout of the network.
Lawsuit with Qwest was settled.
2007
Lindon City buildout is complete.
UTOPIA applies for and is approved for a $66.2 million loan with the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) program. These loans required UTOPIA to submit a construction plan for approval and, once approved, apply for reimbursement. Construction starts in Centerville using RUS funds. UTOPIA Fiber ran into multiple delays in seeking reimbursement before being outright refused any further reimbursement from RUS without explanation. RUS provided $21 million of the loan and reneged on the rest. This resulted in UTOPIA Fiber having $11 million in outstanding construction costs that had not been reimbursed. This resulted in all construction being halted.
2008
UTOPIA Fiber undergoes a management restructuring. A $185 million bond refinancing occurs.
Construction starts in Layton and Tremonton. Tremonton’s buildout was completed.
2009
The first customers are connected in Tremonton.
Brigham City issues SAA special assessment bond to bond more money to build out their network. Brigham City buildout is completed.
2010
The Utah Infrastructure Agency (UIA) was created as a funding mechanism to help continue to build out the network with their excess revenues. 9 out of the 11 original cities joined. Tremonton and Perry did not join UIA, Payson city became a member, but did not back the bonds.
$16 million of federal stimulus grants are received. UTOPIA sues RUS after refusing reimbursement in 2007.
2011
The UIA board authorizes up to a $65 million bond that would later be taken out in 3 increments. UIA issues the first of three installments with a $29.5 million bond.
Centerville buildout is completed. Stimulus backed buildouts begin.
2013
UIA issues the second of three installments with an $11.2 million bond.
Discussions begin with Macquarie Capital and a financing package to finish building out the network in participating Utah cities is proposed. The proposal was laid out in several milestones. Every city in the network opted into Milestone One, with the exception of Payson City. Milestone One consisted of Macquarie’s proposal to UTOPIA to invest $300 million to build the network to every address while maintaining and operating it for 30 years. They had also committed to offering a basic level of service to everyone of 3Mbps upload/download with a 20GB cap. In exchange, they will charge the cities $18-$20/month per address for the next 30 years.
2014
Milestone Two of Macquarie Capital is proposed. Milestone Two consists of formulating a more detailed plan that nails down exact costs and responsibilities. Five cities decided not to continue onto Milestone Two. Those 5 cities are Murray, Orem, Lindon, Centerville, and Payson.
2015
A $10 million settlement with RUS is reached. The money from this settlement was used to build out Perry, Brigham City, and parts of Layton.
UIA issues the third of three installments with a $24.3 million bond.
2016
Perry City buildout is completed.
In February, Roger Timmerman becomes CEO of UIA and Executive Director of UTOPIA Fiber.
After remaining cities reviewed Milestone Two of Macquarie proposal, they decided not to proceed with any further discussions.
UTOPIA is rebranded as UTOPIA Fiber
2017
The UTOPIA Fiber office location is moved from West Valley City to Murray.
2018
In January, the State’s first 10 Gig residential product is launched by UTOPIA Fiber.
In September, Layton announced an agreement with UTOPIA Fiber for the rapid completion of the network. UIA takes out a $24.5 million bond on behalf of Layton for this project, this new agreement ensures the rest of the city will be able to connect within 24 months.
UTOPIA Fiber becomes operational partner with Idaho Falls for their pilot fiber program of around 300 homes. Idaho Falls City Council votes to extend their fiber network to the entire city.
Woodland Hills joins the UTOPIA Fiber network and becomes the first non-member city to join the network. They will own their infrastructure and have a different model for their residents than all other cities.
2019
The Woodlands Hills network is completed.
Morgan City joins UTOPIA Fiber and becomes the second non-member city to join the network. UIA issues a $2.6 million bond on behalf of Morgan City for this project and the first connections in Morgan are started.
West Point City becomes the third non-member city to join the network. UIA issues a $7.2 million bond on behalf of West Point for this project.
UIA issues a $48 million bond for expansion of the network, and Payson announces an agreement with UTOPIA Fiber for the rapid completion of the network by the end of 2020. UIA takes out a $3.5 million bond on behalf of Payson for this project.
2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, Layton City’s network was completed and in April, Morgan City is fully completed.
Rise Broadband and Advanced Stream joins the UTOPIA Fiber network as an ISP.
The first EDWIN Project cameras that help detect wildfires are unveiled in Layton, Murray, and Woodland Hills.
Clearfield joins the UTOPIA Fiber network and becomes the fourth non-member city to join the network. UIA issues a $13.8 million bond on behalf of Clearfield for this project. Construction begins in Clearfield City.
West Point’s network is fully completed in just 15 months
2021
ConnectFast and Miles Broadband joins the UTOPIA Fiber network as an ISP.
UIA issues a $52.5 million bond to expand the network and complete the original 11 cities.
Pleasant Grove joins the UTOPIA Fiber network and becomes the fifth non-member city to join the network. UIA issues a $18 million bond on behalf of Pleasant Grove for this project. Construction begins in Pleasant Grove.
Midvale City’s network is fully completed.
Syracuse City joins the UTOPIA Fiber network and becomes the sixth non-member city to join the network. UIA issues a $23.5 million bond on behalf of Syracuse for this project.
Payson City network is completed.
Yellowstone Fiber becomes the second operational partner with UTOPIA Fiber.
2022
Cedar Hills joins the UTOPIA Fiber network and becomes the seventh non-member city to join the network. UIA issues a $5.9 million bond on behalf of Cedar Hills for this project.
UTOPIA Fiber expands into Southern Utah. Santa Clara joins the UTOPIA Fiber network and becomes the eighth non-member city to become part of the network. UIA issues a $6.7 million bond on behalf of Santa Clara for this project.
Clearfield City, Murray, and West Valley are completed.
West Haven City joins the UTOPIA Fiber network and becomes the ninth non-member city to join the network. UIA issues a $21 million bond on behalf of West Haven for this project.
2023
The Orem City network is completed.
All 11 original member city buildouts are completed.
Bountiful City becomes the tenth non-member city to join the network. Bountiful City joins as their own entity, branded Bountiful Fiber, Powered by UTOPIA, and will own their entire network. Bountiful City issues a $42 million bond for the Bountiful Fiber project. In June, the Utah Taxpayers Association attempts to block Bountiful Fiber + UTOPIA from building the network with a door-to-door campaign encouraging residents to sign a petition to put the decision on the November ballot. This campaign was unsuccessful, and the Bountiful Fiber groundbreaking takes place in August.
Cedar Hills, Pleasant Grove, Santa Clara, and Syracuse are all completed.
December 2023, Domestic Policy Caucus starts $1 million smear campaign attacking government broadband and UTOPIA Fiber
2024
February 2024, UTOPIA launches Chosen by YOUtah campaign to combat attack ads
ETS, Fusion Networks and Wifi Pros joined the UTOPIA Fiber network
10 Gig starting at $130
Released 2.5 Gig services (select ISP’s apply)