Accelerating the economic potential of Springfield with smart deployment

At the completion of a 1,100-mile fiber build in Springfield, Missouri, SpringNet's network was delivered six months ahead of a demanding schedule connecting over 115,000 residents and businesses to gigabit broadband. SpringNet accelerated connectivity and economic benefits to their communities through digital and geospatial construction technology and innovative partner models. 

SpringNet, the subsidiary of the city's utility company in Springfield, Missouri, started in 1997. Using the initial fiber ring around town, SpringNet added connectivity to the City of Springfield's buildings, the surrounding Greene County and, ultimately, the school district. The $120 million project resulted in no additional expense to ratepayers due to leasing excess fiber capacity to anchor tenant, Lumen Technologies, to provide residential and business services.

As it looked to expand its fiber network and improve connectivity in Springfield, SpringNet partnered with The Broadband Group (TBG) to plan the network build with an all-digital approach and TBG's utility lease model. This long-term leasing framework serves the city utility's interests and respects the industry's metrics. 

"This is a network for the utility and a by-product of that is it advances the connectivity of the residents and businesses of the footprint [the utility] serves," said Jeff Reiman, President, The Broadband Group.

"The service model allows the utility to invest greatly in upgrading its fiber optic infrastructure without raising customer rates."

Render's technology provided a single source of construction progress and quality for TBG's project teams, contractors and SpringNet's leadership teams, including everything from maintenance and construction tickets to fiscal expenditures. If any part of the build required rework, it was rectified quickly and efficiently while crews were in the area, saving significant time and materials.

Customer connection experience for their Tier One anchor client is being touted as 'first class' due to the network and data quality, streamlined handover processes and construction timelines being met or exceeded. 

SpringNet's rapid deployment of its fiber network generated substantial economic benefits for the community. Amazon built a 1 million square foot facility and Costco moved into the city. These enterprises brought thousands of new jobs and a domino effect into Springfield's developer landscape. In late 2021, the city saw an uptick in new subdivisions and multi-dwelling units as a direct result of Costco and Amazon. 

SpringNet's fiber network expansion tripled the connectivity reach. It brought immeasurable and everlasting opportunities and benefits to the Springfield community, including being ranked #1 best city for remote workers by the Wall Street Journal due to the highly accessible gigabit connectivity.