Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Broadband?
- What is the Clackamas Broadband Express?
- How is this project being funded?
- How will the network be managed and maintained over the long term?
- Who is completing the planning and construction?
- How long will the project be under construction?
- Should I expect noise, traffic delays or road closures during construction?
- Will my current services be affected by construction?
- Will customers still have access to my business during construction?
- Who will have access to the Clackamas Broadband Express?
- How can I access the new broadband network?
- Will the county be charging fees for the use of the network?
- What are the expected benefits of the project for citizens, local businesses and private service providers?
Why Broadband?
Broadband infrastructure is critical for economic development and job creation in rural communities as well as for improving healthcare, public safety and education services. Telecommunications throughout Clackamas County is fragmented with numerous providers delivering a diverse array of services in addition to inconsistencies in infrastructure development. As a result, there are serious challenges with redundancy, reliability, competition and affordable connectivity.
Significant improvements to broadband infrastructure and increased access to broadband services throughout the County will improve the quality of telecommunications services, reduce the costs for those services and provide more options for connectivity. When completed, the CBX network will put Clackamas County in a better position to retain and attract businesses. High capacity broadband services brought by the CBX network will allow existing businesses to become more competitive and enhance their participation in the global marketplace.
Not only will the implementation of the project result in immediate job creation, it will also promote economic development for years to come by providing current and future businesses access to sustainable, reliable and affordable communications within Clackamas County.
What is the Clackamas Broadband Express?
The Clackamas Broadband Express (CBX) is an $11.1 million project for the construction of 180 miles of broadband fiber infrastructure throughout Clackamas County over the next three years. The CBX network is designed to provide low cost, point-to-point network access to various locations throughout the County including schools, health care facilities, libraries, police and fire stations, and other public agencies. In addition, the CBX network will allow private broadband providers to access the state-of-the-art infrastructure in order to enhance and expand their current services to local businesses and homeowners. The Clackamas Broadband Express is part of the comprehensive County Communications Plan to increase high speed communications within the county.
How is this project being funded?
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) within the U.S. Department of Commerce with funding to support the implementation of projects across the nation that aim to increase broadband access and infrastructure. The NTIA distributed funds through a rigorous grant application process. Clackamas County completed a grant application proposing the Clackamas Broadband Express project and was awarded $7,804,181. In addition to the federal grant, Clackamas County will contribute $3.3 million to the project.
Please visit the BroadbandUSA website to learn more about the grant received by Clackamas County and for an overview of the national broadband initiative.
How will the network be managed and maintained over the long term?
As the owner of the Clackamas Broadband Express, the County assumes an ongoing responsibility for maintenance and management of the network fiber. The County will manage the infrastructure through private contractors who will build, operate and maintain the infrastructure. Clackamas County is developing the backbone, dark fiber infrastructure only and will not manage or maintain direct service delivery.
Who is completing the planning and construction?
Planning and construction of the CBX network is an ongoing collaborative effort between North Sky Communications, Engineering Associates and Clackamas County.
How long will the project be under construction?
The project will be completed in six pahses over the course of three years.
Should I expect noise, traffic delays or road closures during construction?
Construction of the CBX network is not expected to create excessive noise. Traffic delays and road closures are not expected during construction.
Will my current services be affected by construction?
Construction of the CBX Network will not interfere with or interrupt current services provided throughout the county.
Will customers still have access to my business during construction?
Construction of the CBX network is not expected to impact access to any businesses.
Who will have access to the Clackamas Broadband Express?
As a condition of the NTIA grant, access to the CBX network is non-discriminatory offering interconnection and open access throughout the County.
Public entities such as schools, fire districts, police, emergency service providers, municipalities, libraries and utilities will have access to CBX as well as healthcare providers such as clinics and hospitals.
Private telecommunications companies will also have access to the CBX network in order to enhance and expand their current services to clients such as local businesses, homeowners and other private entities.
How can I access the new broadband network?
Clackamas County will not offer direct broadband services through the CBX. Homeowners and local businesses will have access to the state-of-the-art CBX broadband infrastructure through internet service providers (ISPs), and other providers of broadband services who have secured access to the CBX with Clackamas County and in turn market their services to end-users.
Public agencies will secure access to the CBX network through Service Level Agreements and contracts which are negotiated directly with Clackamas County.
Will the county be charging fees for the use of the network?
Access to CBX broadband fiber will be secured by public entities through agreements and contracts with Clackamas County for the cost of maintenance. Private businesses and homeowners will secure broadband access through private broadband service providers that have signed agreements and contracts with the County at a fair market rate.
What are the expected benefits of the CBX project for residents, local businesses and private service providers?
The CBX network will provide greater interconnection and improved communications for county and municipal agencies, local communities, schools, colleges, health care facilities, public safety facilities (i.e., fire, police) and communications towers throughout Clackamas County.
The CBX networks' contributions will provide added value for every Clackamas County resident from technology-driven economic development and improved public service delivery to efficiencies in medical care and enhanced educational opportunities. Residents, local businesses and private service providers will enjoy increased access to, and lower costs for, an array of high quality, high speed broadband services.