Lexington asks for proposals from companies to boost city's Internet speed

Lexington is pushing forward with its efforts to increase Internet speeds.

The city announced Friday that it was asking for proposals from the private sector on a possible public-private partnership or a private-only proposal for building, operating and maintaining a fiber-optic network across Lexington.

A fiber-optic network would increase Internet speeds.

City officials say Lexington's average Internet speed of 16.2 megabits per second is one of the slowest in the country and in the state, according to some rankings. That's too slow to attract companies.

In response to the need for faster Internet, Mayor Jim Gray announced last year a push to make Lexington a "gigabit city."

Before Friday's requests for proposals, a team dedicated to upping the city's Internet speeds has been meeting for the past six months. The team has hired a project manager and a consultant to help it coordinate a build-out of a fiber-optic network, city officials said.

"Lexington must be connected to the rest of the world with Internet speeds that drive more business activity and economic development," Gray said Friday. "Becoming a 'gigabit city' will keep our health, education, manufacturing, technology and research sectors at the forefront."

Companies interested must be able to show a track record of excellent customer service; competitive pricing, including low-cost options for poorer customers; and an ability to maintain and expand the fiber optic network over time.

All interested companies should notify the city in the next 30 days. The city's next steps will depend on the proposals it receives. City officials have to gauge potential interest from the private sector before it can determine costs or a timetable for construction, city officials have said.

This story was originally published March 6, 2015 at 1:46 PM with the headline "Lexington asks for proposals from companies to boost city's Internet speed."