PASADENA, Calif., Nov. 25 -- Tetra Tech Inc., a provider of consulting, engineering and technical services, announced today it was awarded a three-year contract to develop a fiber optic network for the Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency (UTOPIA). This largest-of-its-kind project will deliver high-speed fiber directly to homes and businesses over an open, wholesale network owned and managed by a consortium of local communities.
The UTOPIA infrastructure will operate much like a public road system, providing open access to information transport to promote commerce. This approach is being viewed as a potential model by a number of communities across the US.
The first phase of the contract, for one year, is valued by the company at approximately $22 million. If all phases of the contract proceed, it could have a value of approximately $240 million.
UTOPIA will be issuing municipal revenue bonds during the first quarter of 2004 to fund the project. If funding is received, Tetra Tech will be responsible for program management, engineering, permitting and constructing the network. The first phase of the project will bring the high-speed network to an estimated 30,000 businesses and residences and will involve approximately 3 million feet of fiber. Much of the construction will be subcontracted to local Utah-based suppliers.
For more information, visit: www.tetratech.com