As competition grows, Superior continues expansion of broadband network

I would especially like to see a simple annual ConnectSuperior report showing: total capital invested to date by funding source; number of premises passed and actually serviceable; residential and commercial subscribers; actual annual revenue collected; operating expenses; and existing and projected debt service.

The arrival of ImOn makes this even more important. Increased private competition may itself accomplish part of the City’s original objective, but it also changes the assumptions under which the municipal network was planned. The question shouldn’t simply be whether ConnectSuperior is “good” or “bad.” The question should be whether the numbers continue to support each additional phase before taxpayers take on substantial new debt.

Fiber is a long-lived asset, so judging the entire project from today’s subscriber count would be premature. But for the same reason, a decision to borrow another $10–$12 million deserves transparent, updated financial projections based on what the City has learned from the first phases—not simply the assumptions made several years ago.