A broadband internet project is underway on Florida Street

Clearnetworx begins large-scale fiber optic operations in Durango

Motorists may have noticed delays and construction crews this week on Florida Road. While commuting on the busy Durango Road may take longer than usual, the wait may be worth it for residents who need more reliable Internet service.

Montrose-based broadband sister companies Clearnetworx and Deeply Digital have begun construction on a full-scale fiber-optic project aimed at bringing high-speed Internet to residential areas in need in Durango, starting at Roads Florida.

A bulletin from the city of Durango said construction has begun near the south end of Aspen Drive and will continue to Timberland Drive.

Casey Irving, business development manager for Deeply Digital (Clearnetworx’s construction arm), said construction along Florida Road could be completed this winter weather permitting. The project will provide optional broadband Internet access to approximately 1,900 homes.

Broadband installation in Durango will be done in phases. Irving declined to discuss other neighborhoods that will receive broadband access, but more information will be available when the Florida Road phase is complete.

Durango is not Clearnetworx’s first foray into Southwest Colorado. In 2018-2019, a public-private partnership with the town of Bayfield marked their first expansion into the area. It has since signed a similar agreement with the city of Cortez in “taking over almost the entire network (of the city),,” he said.

The company is also looking to expand into the Lake Electra area just south of the Purgatory Resort, and it is awaiting registration for the Forest Lakes.

Irving said Clearnetworx has been discussing broadband options for Durango and La Plata with city and county officials over a period of time to identify areas that need higher Internet speeds.

He said the need for Internet or upgraded Internet can vary widely within a city. Area 9 Economic Development Zone is a strong advocate for broadband and has been helpful in understanding Internet demand in the area.

“There are specific areas where maybe the cable plant is having problems or reliability is struggling because you know, the water got into some copper feed or something like that,” he said. “So we’re trying to focus on providing services to the entire town while also addressing areas of specific need. And really that comes from the community.”

On Florida roads, he said, Deeply Digital construction teams are focusing on building underground to complete as much of the infrastructure as possible before the first snowfall.

He said Clearnetworx offers a full range of services, spanning from residential, small business and corporate clients, including hospitals and schools.

He said services are provided on a monthly basis so customers do not need to sign long-term contracts. Residential pricing starts at $49.95 for 300 megabytes per second and goes up to one gigabit per second for $69.96.

He said Clearnetworx will install a technology called XGS Pon, which is used by many fiber optic internet providers because it allows for higher Internet speeds and the ability to switch to two or 10 gigabytes as needed without replacement. infrastructure or equipment in the home.

Potential customers can pre-register for the service at clearnetworx.com/durango.

“There’s no early bird commitment or anything like that, or pre-registration of the service, there’s no contractual commitment,” Irving said. “We do not implement hidden fees or price increases. So we just try to keep simple, straightforward payment rules or policies.”

He said the company is 100% operated locally, with customer support representatives, technicians and engineers living and working at Western Slope.