PRCAC seeks fiber optic alternatives

The Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC) board members have expressed concern regarding the extended timeline for fiber optic installation on the Point, projected no earlier than 2025 and are seeking a more immediate and cost-effective solution. Board member Prakash Sundaresan reached out to Public Utilities #1, which has received a $3.5 million state grant to install fiber on the Point, requesting an alternative broadband solution that could be swiftly deployed and effectively address the immediate requirements of Point Roberts while utilizing the state funding. In response, PUD clarified that the grant mandate was exclusively for fiber to the premises and did not allow diverting funds towards a more immediate solution. “We don’t have any flexibility. We can’t put a portion of the grant towards a more immediate solution and let the fiber work carry on,” said Sundaresan. Sundaresan proposed considering alternative installation methods, such as overhead deployment rather than underground digging, to expedite the process and meet the community’s urgent needs.