Plans for new Cinergy Metronet fiber service move forward

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Plans for a first-of-its-kind fiber service are moving forward, according to a consultant with Cinergy Metronet.

Cinergy Metronet is the company for which a tax increment finance (TIF) district was established by the City of Lafayette, City of West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County earlier this year. The TIF district will allow for the funding of equipment and installation of the fiber to the home service.

During a regular meeting Wednesday of the West Lafayette Redevelopment Commission, Metronet Consultant Steve Biggerstaff told members of the commission that an initial feasibility study was complete for Lafayette and West Lafayette.

The study is still ongoing for parts of Tippecanoe County.

Biggerstaff said the goal of the feasibility study was to determine whether the project will work for the Greater Lafayette area and he added that in fact, the project will work. Although he mentioned there were some infrastructure details that will need to be adjusted.

There is still a lot of work to be done before installation can begin, however, Biggerstaff told the commission Cinergy Metronet was on budget. Metronet hopes to serve its first customers in Greater Lafayette by February 2013.

Biggerstaff said this service is different and will provide faster and more efficient fiber services to residents and businesses in terms of television, internet and phone capabilities. He went on to say the technology of fiber is just scratching the surface but Metronet will be laying the foundation for future innovation.

"The technologies are being unfolded every day," said Biggerstaff, "initially what we're talking about is fiber TV, which is an internet protocol (IP) based TV. It's interactive, it's software driven which really opens up some exciting applications and products. It won't be your normal television in your home anymore. Of course, the internet as well, the speeds will be whatever you want them to be... we just crank up the dial based on the need. And the telephone. Fiber products are basically what you have today but on steroids."

Biggerstaff told NewsChannel 18 Metronet is currently working with 11 other communities in Indiana. The company is also hiring and looking to fill around 50 positions locally.

More information on the company is posted on its website , along with information on how to apply for a job .