WiredWest has issued a Request for Proposal for high level network design and cost estimates for the WiredWest fiber-to-the-premise network. The results will be used as the basis for WiredWest’s pro-forma and financing. “The work generated by this RFP will provide critical information to take the project to the next step,” said Monica Webb, Chair of WiredWest, “which is imperative, as the digital divide afflicting our region continues to hinder our economic development, educational opportunities and quality of life.”

WiredWest will work with the awardee to create a design that meets the needs of member communities and works for financing requirements. A fiber-optic network is able to process large amounts of data at the speed of light, enabling modern applications for business, education, health care and entertainment. Fiber-optic technology is the backbone of worldwide telecommunications and wireless networks today, and has the capacity to serve our communities for decades to come.

Responses to the RFP are due at WiredWest’s offices at or before July 18, 2012. Questions can be submitted up until July 4, 2012 and the answers will be posted by July 11, 2012. The award will be announced by August 1, 2012.