In the lightning-fast world of fiber-optic internet, an initial idea can sometimes plod along at a painfully slow pace.

That’s the case with the advent of high-speed fiber-optic internet to Farmersville.

Nevertheless, residents and business within the city limits of Farmersville now have a fiber-optic option with Thrive Broadband.

The company began its pre-order phase on March 6 which will allow customers to sign up to be the first to experience fiber optic’s speed and reliability.

“We’re excited to bring ultra-fast, multi-gig internet to the residents of Farmersville,” said Zachary Schmidt, president of Thrive Broadband. “This partnership demonstrates the good that happens when local government and private enterprise partner to better the community.”

The project traces its inception to early 2021 with funding from a CARES Act grant and the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) to help not only individuals, but businesses as well.

The city of Farmersville is using $727,000 of the ARPA funds as well as a $2.9 million CARES Act grant to bring the project to the city. The funding is being used for development and infrastructure costs.

Service activation is scheduled for this summer and will feature residential speeds up to two gigabits up and down, making Farmersville a multi-gigabit city.

City Manager Ben White said the project will provide high speed service to anyone in the city limits who wants it.

“We may be the first city in North Texas to provide speeds this fast,” White said. “Having a world-class fiber infrastructure advocated by visionary leadership is extremely important to the development of a quality of life for our residents, schools and businesses that is second to none.”

The public-private partnership will have the city provide the lines for service and Thrive will use those lines to provide fiber optic service. The partnership has a revenue sharing component as well with 70% of the revenue allocated to Thrive and 30% to the city.

White said that work is about to begin and residents will start to see Thrive contractors in the community to establish the fiber infrastructure.

The city’s existing power poles will be used for installation of the new lines. Residential customers will be able to secure speeds up to two gigabits and businesses should be able to receive up to 10 gigabits of reliable speed.

Thrive indicated that an annual contract is not required for residential customers and they can change their plan (and speed) at any time.

Thrive Broadband provides service in both Colorado and Texas, including nearby Canton and Athens. Potential customers can learn more by going to thrivebroadband.com

Currently, the fastest internet service available in the community is through Spectrum, a Charter Communications company. Spectrum advertises packages from 300 megabits per second and up.

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