Inside Aurora’s ‘Internet for All’ plan

Aurora, Illinois is embarking on a strategy to get every resident in the city connected.

“It’s more than just connectivity; it’s really getting connectivity to those residents at an economical price point,” said Michael Pegues, Aurora’s Chief Information Officer. He was speaking on the sidelines of the recent Cities Today Institute City Leadership Forum in Long Beach.

“It’s also about equity and inclusion. We have seen all the impacts with Covid, with kids and remote work, and we want to make sure that every citizen, every visitor, every business has an option to have that utility at an affordable price,” Pegues added.

“Because today, just like water, gas and electricity, internet access is a utility, and we refer to it as the fourth utility.”

[Watch the full interview with Michael Pegues]

Via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, significant funding is being made available by the federal government, but Aurora doesn’t want to postpone action until it arrives.

The city is looking to expand its existing middle-mile network to connect an additional 700 fibre-optic miles throughout the city to reach every home.

Pegues said: “We are working with a community-based partner who provides internet services – OnLight Aurora – and they would be that extension to the city to make sure that the internet is actually delivered.”

Aurora plans to fund the work through a capital revenue bond, which will be paid back based on forecasted revenues over a 30-year period.

“It allows us to build out that infrastructure and amortise the cost over 30 years,” said Pegues. “This is how we’re going to be able to lower the cost with regards to the internet services that will be delivered to the residents.”

Pegues believes the approach can provide a model for cities elsewhere.

“In the City of Aurora, we want to be a forward-thinking municipality,” he said.

“We’re not going to wait, we’re not going to ride a wave, we’re going to be the tip of the spear in moving this forward.”