Westminster Fiber Network in Maryland Sets Growth Path

June 2023 marks four years since the completion of backbone construction and lighting of all phases of the Westminster Fiber Network (WFN) project in Westminster, Maryland. Another milestone will soon be achieved: Subscriber growth will begin generating sufficient revenue for the city to cover the debt service on the general obligation bonds sold to finance the project. This is well ahead of the planned timeline—a major success. Serious planning began in 2012 after two developments made it clear the city would have to act on its own if it were ever to have affordable, abundant broadband. It’s important to acknowledge that the success of the project was far from predestined. Westminster had to navigate numerous challenges – all of which could have turned out badly. Westminster's model is based on that of Stokab in Stockholm, Sweden. There, the local fiber utility builds and maintains the dark infrastructure, and leases it to operators that install equipment and sell services. Westminster did not have the political will or the IT experience to run Westminster’s network, but the city wanted to maintain some level of control by owning the infrastructure. Like the Stokab model, Westminster owns and maintains the conduits, fiber, handholes, and enclosures, and its partner handles everything else. Westminster owns all fiber all the way up to the side of the premises: backbone, laterals, and drops. The city’s preparation was near perfect; the feasibility study and business plan were of sufficient detail and quality to enable good decision-making, and to make the case to elected officials and the public. Thanks to consultants, the financial projections were also remarkably accurate, even with all the uncertainties at the time.

[Robert Wack lives in Westminster, Maryland, where he served as president of the Common Council during the construction of the Westminster Fiber Network.]