Ziply Fiber was seeking to bring high-speed fiber internet to every home in Deer Park. However, the city’s leadership has expressed concerns about the increased workload on city workers and the abundance of existing internet options. The mayor has rejected Ziply’s offer to present at a city council meeting.
In a recent Deer Park City Council meeting, Mayor Tim Verzal revealed that Ziply Fiber had inquired about a franchise agreement to provide high-speed fiber internet to every home and business in the city. While this could mark a significant technological upgrade for Deer Park, the Mayor and city staff expressed concerns about the potential strain on city resources and the numerous internet options already available.
Of primary concern was potential damage to water mains and other city infrastructure as a result of boring and placing conduit. The Mayor sought an informal consensus among the council members, as a result, no mention of the discussion will be reflected in the official meeting minutes. You can see a video of the meeting on the Deer Page Gazette YouTube Channel: DPGazette.com/1japu.
Ryan Luckin of Ziply Fiber confirmed that the Mayor had declined the offer to present information about a franchise agreement. Consequently, Ziply will not pursue the agreement further unless circumstances change.
During a phone conversation about the city council’s stance on Ziply, the Mayor stated that “they didn’t get the blessing to proceed.” He later clarified that he “…didn’t get a definite answer.” At the end of the conversation, he said, “We can bring up, we can bring it up again. If I remember…”
Ziply Fiber’s proposal would be the first in Deer Park to offer fiber-optic internet directly to every home, a significant advancement over current options. However, the Mayor’s rejection is a roadblock for residents eager for faster, affordable, and more reliable internet services.
Recently, the company announced a significant rollout of fiber-optic networks in Montana, targeting major cities like Billings and Great Falls. This expansion aims to provide ultra-high-speed, 100-percent fiber-optic internet service to thousands of homes and businesses, setting a new standard for internet connectivity in these areas.
Ryan Luckin described the typical preferred way to install fiber in the home by saying, “If there are telephone poles, that’s our first and most efficient way to get fiber to the home. We would lash on the poles themselves and then take a drop directly from the pole into the home. The secondary method is underground, where we would use existing conduit or other methods if necessary.” Luckin also confirmed they can use preexisting conduits and share them with other utilities.
Ziply Fiber’s expansion into Montana is part of a larger strategy to bring advanced internet infrastructure to underserved suburban and rural communities across the region. In Billings and Great Falls alone, the new network will eventually reach nearly 29,000 addresses, offering internet speeds up to 50 gigabits per second. With symmetrical upload and download speeds, fiber networks provide better connectivity for a wide range of uses. With entry-level plans starting at just $20 per month, Ziply has no data caps and no annual contracts, ensuring customers can enjoy reliable, fast internet without worrying about hidden fees or long-term commitments. Multiple sources confirm that Ziply Fiber is one of the best-reviewed internet providers in the country.
Sources:
- The City of Deer Park. “City of Deer Park – City Council Agenda – August 07, 2024.” City of Deer Park, 2024, DPGazette.com/vem7r. Accessed 19 August 2024.
- The City of Deer Park. “City of Deer Park – City Council Agenda – August 21, 2024.” City of Deer Park, 2024, DPGazette.com/eyonz. Accessed 19 August 2024
- Video: Deer Park City Council Meeting August 7th DPGazette.com/1japu. YouTube, uploaded by Deer Park Gazette.
- Ziply Fiber. “Expanding to Billings and Great Falls.” Ziply Fiber, 17 June 2024, Ziplyfiber.com/news/press-release/billings-great-falls. Accessed 19 August 2024.
- Phone interview with Ryan Luckin of Ziply Fiber. 19 August 2024.
- Phone interview with Mayor Tim Verzal. 19 August 2024.
