In Spring 2011, a $12 million fiber optic cable network to improve high speed broadband capability across a three county region began. With substantial financial help from Corning, Inc and financial backing from Chemung, Steuben and Schuyler counties, a new not-for-profit corportation was established. The Southern Tier Network was formed to conduct and manage the new fiber optic backbone that will enable access to the highest broadband connectivity. Construction of the 235-mile optical fiber backbone began in June 2011 and is expected to be finished by the end of this year. When the fiber ring is complete, telecommunications carriers will lease access to the network and compete to better serve customers in the region. The network is being built to support the needs of public safety, improve Broadband access in rural areas, increase competition and the level of telecommunications services throughout the region and create a globally competitive advantage for job creation. Many of the fiber segments are completed and in use and virtually all are in progress. The network in Chemung County is well underway.
Fiber connecting Elmira to Sayre is done.
Citywide construction is being completed.
Schools will be connected this summer.
Plans are to connect county office buildings and public safety towers in the next couple months.
In Chemung County’s 15th district, the network is progressing well. The fiber has been layed on Maple Ave. from the cityline into the Town of Southport. It will continue down Lower Maple Ave. into the Village of Wellsburg and will be completed by the end of 2013.
This backbone will allow telecommunications operators to access the fiber and expand high speed broadband internet into the hills and rural areas of Southport and Ashland. The fiber was also layed across the Chemung River to I86 near the Town of Elmira and County Route 60 to possibly allow companies to expand access to the residents in the East Hill area in the future.
“I have worked with the County Executive and Deputy County Executive over the past three years to make sure that the fiber optic backbone was secured for the Village of Wellsburg and would be available for the rural areas in the Towns of Ashland, Southport and Elmira where there has not been access in the past,” Chemung County Legislator Rodney J. Strange said. “I am excited that these areas will now have the capability to seek companies to expand high speed internet access that has been cost-prohibitive until now,” Strange said. The Southern Tier Network plans to begin working with economic developers on programs to attract jobs using the fiber network and to form partnerships to expand broadband into underserved areas.