Fort Pierce Utilities Authority taps Fujitsu for Florida fiber broadband deployment
Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. says that it will help Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) to provide planning, design, and deployment of a fiber broadband network in the Lincoln Park section of the community, which is located on Florida’s east coast.
Public utility FPUA has provided electric, water, wastewater, and natural gas services to Fort Pierce and surrounding areas since 1972 and broadband to large businesses and anchor institutions through its FPUAnet division since the early 2000s. The FPUA Board launched a smart city initiative in 2018 that would include providing high-speed internet throughout the city. That includes Lincoln Park, designated as one of the city’s revitalization zones.
The Lincoln Park effort will proceed in phases, with first service turnup in early 2022. The initiative will be designed to support future wireless infrastructure deployments, including public Wi-Fi. As prime broadband network integrator Fujitsu will provide providing market analysis, financial/ business modeling, engineering design, deployment services, and overall project management.
“We are making a vital investment in digital equity for one of our community’s most underserved neighborhoods,” said Jason Mittler, FPUAnet manager, FPUA. “We trust in Fujitsu’s experience and vendor-neutral approach to help us successfully roll out this project.”
“Network connectivity with equal access is important for community inclusion, education possibilities and economic development,” added Greg Manganello, senior vice president and head of wireless and service solutions, Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. “We are pleased to support FPUA’s mission to provide a next-generation network to enhance their customers’ quality of life.”
For related articles, visit the FTTx Topic Center.
For more information on FTTx technology and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.
To stay abreast of fiber network deployments, subscribe to Lightwave’s Service Providers and Datacom/Data Center newsletters.
Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.