City and School District Partner to Build Fiber Optic Network

The Royal Oak City Commission has approved an agreement with the School District to construct a $400,000 fiber optic cable network that will link eight city and nine school buildings.  This new technology will improve service, capabilities, and security for both organizations while greatly reducing operating costs. 

“This is a huge step forward in technology,” Commissoner Capello said at the Monday, April 1 City Commission meeting.  Her support was followed by Commissioner Poulton extending his appreciation by saying, “There has been a lot of hard work committed to it and it’s paying off.  This is a high-speed network that we need going into the future, and the collaborative effort is a good thing for the City.” 

The project was approved unanimously.

“We are spending money now to save money long term,” said Manager of Information Systems Scott Newman.  “The new network will be much quicker, more reliable, have increased capacity, and cost the City less to operate.”

The cost of the project is being split between the City and the School District.  The School District will own and operate the network, and the City will have dedicated fiber for its share of the network’s capacity.  Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, and is planned to be completed this fall.

Source: City of Royal Oak