Broadband internet will soon be available all across Polk County. At least that is the goal of the county commissioners as they voted Thursday, December 16, to enter into an Internet Service Agreement with Array Communications, LLC, which will do business as Ocoee Communications.
Commissioner Dewey Esquinance introduced the agreement, saying he had researched the company extensively and, “yes, they can do” what they say. That is to provide broadband internet, with a minimum one gigabite (1GB) of band width to “all of the inhabited area of Polk County.”
A map outlining the internet coverage area was presented. Overall, the agreement calls for 80 percent of the county to be covered. Esquinance said the uncovered areas involve the national forest lands.
The agreement calls for Polk County to pay Array Communications $573,000, which will come from American Rescue Plan monies, as an installation fee.
In return, Array will arrange for a performance bond in the same amount.
Then, within 60 days, the system is to be up and running and within 120 days it is to be complete.
Esquinance also explained that the agreement includes revenue sharing with Polk County. After 1,000 customers have signed up for the service, Polk County will receive 20% of the company’s net revenue. That percent increases incrementally, climbing to 30% between 2,000 and 3,000 customers, 40 percent between 3,000 and 4,000 customers, and then 50% over 4,000 customers.
The agreement also creates a stipulation whereby “Polk County will have a voice in what they’re doing,” Esquinance said.
The commission’s Web Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday, December 21, at 6 p.m. to review Array’s performance bond. County Executive Robby Hatcher was authorized to sign the necessary paperwork to complete the arrangement upon the approval of the committee.