Fiber Internet FAQs

Yes, the public overwhelmingly agrees that fiber internet, often referred to broadband, is essential and should be treated as a utility. Congress recognized internet access as a utility in the 2020 CARES Act which established aid, relief, and economic security at the onset of the COVID pandemic.

Here's a breakdown of fiber internet as a utility:

1. Access to telecommunications facilities and services is essential to all persons and entities in both rural and urban areas
2. Many people and entities, particularly in rural areas, do not have adequate access to advanced telecommunications facilities and services
3. Public Utility Districts are well positioned to construct and operate telecommunications facilities in a cost-effective manner

Open access is the term used to describe a network where more than one internet service provider (ISP) can provide service to the end-user. KPUD believes the open access model serves our communities by eliminating the costs of duplicative infrastructure and allowing customer to have a choice in ISPs. Customers often experience improved services and controlled monthly, internet costs in a competitive marketplace.

Optical fiber is a hair-thin strand of glass, specially designed to trap and transmit light pulses. The fiber uses light instead of electricity to carry a signal. It is unique because it can carry high bandwidth signals over long distances without signal degradation, and it can provide those signals simultaneously in both directions - upload and download. Copper media can also carry high bandwidth, but only for a few hundred yards - after which the signal begins to degrade and bandwidth narrows. Fiber optic cable is made from optical fiber and has been used in communications networks for more than 35 years, mostly to carry core telecommunications traffic from city-to-city or country-to-country.

Fiber internet (also referred to as broadband) access can be provided to residents over a variety of infrastructures. When the infrastructure used is fiber optics, it is called fiber to the home (FTTH.) In this delivery model, KPUD extends its broadband network, using fiber from its nodes all the way to a home. Fiber to the home is the fastest growing method of providing vastly higher bandwidth to consumers and businesses, enabling more robust video, internet, and voice services.

Since 2000, KPUD has used a small portion of property taxes and federal funds to construct its fiber optic (broadband) network. This network consists of over 500 miles of world-class, high-speed fiber optic cable. It is used by and connected to many public agencies in Kitsap County. The KPUD network is also used as the trunk system for some of the area's telecommunications companies, who in turn, sell retail services to customers. No water utility funds are used in the KPUD's telecommunications operations.

Speed - KPUD offers the fastest internet speeds in Kitsap County! Reliability - Symmetrical upload and download speeds have you covered for remote work, distance learning, video conferencing, telehealth and more. Choice - you get to choose from a list of KPUD approved Internet Service Providers.

Self-reported research shows that fiber subscribers pay almost the same for their internet, voice, and video services as do customers of DSL and cable providers, with FTTH subscribers actually paying less per megabit of bandwidth than they receive. Additionally, surveys of broadband consumers conducted by Consumer Reports magazine and by the FTTH Council have shown that subscribers of FTTH services show considerably higher satisfaction rates than subscribers of other broadband services.

The cost to bring KPUD fiber to the home is based on several variables. Variables may include the proximity of the nearest connection point on the KPUD fiber network, an aerial or underground connection to the home (typically determined by existing utility easements), and presence of available vacant conduit to your home. Complete our online Estimate Request at www.kpud.org/fiber-internet/services/residential-fiber/estimate-map/ to receive projected costs to connect your home to fiber.

KPUD uses Capital Funds to build "middle mile" fiber infrastructure along main roads of Kitsap County. This does not include building fiber to individual homes. Residents are responsible for the cost of bringing fiber to the home. Residents who connect to KPUD's network pay a one-time connection and construction fee for KPUD to extend its network to connect your home.

There are several options to pay for fiber infrastructure to be built to your home.

Option 1: Contract and Payment

Residential contract signed by homeowner with a check made payable to KPUD prior to construction and fiber installation to the home.

Option 2: Local Utility District & Non-Contiguous Local Utility District

Local utility districts (LUD) and non-contiguous local utility districts (NCLUD) provide individuals or a group of homeowners the ability to finance construction costs for fiber infrastructure improvements over a 20-year loan period. These costs are guaranteed with a lien against the property and are repaid annually through the Kitsap County Treasurer's Office with interest. More detailed information about LUDs and NCLUDs can be found in the Residential Fiber Financing section.

KPUD's community-owned, open access network hosts several internet service providers (ISP) that offer retail services with prices and terms determined by each provider. Visit https://kpud.broadbandportal.net/ for a list of internet service providers and their monthly prices and terms.

KPUD operates a community-owned, open access network. We currently do NOT offer the monthly, retail internet service. KPUD builds and maintains the fiber optic network and then allows ISPs to use the KPUD network to offer the monthly internet services to our customers. Think of it like an airport, KPUD is the airport with different runways, gates and terminals. The ISPs are the airlines that use the airport to provide customers with services. With KPUD, you're never locked into one ISP.

YES! If you're interested in connecting your business to KPUD fiber internet, please contact KPUD's Telecom Customer Service team at:
ourfiber@kpud.org or 360-626-7744.

KPUD has operated its fiber optic network for more than 20 years. KPUD's fiber optic network has been essential to connecting area public safety agencies, schools, government buildings and naval bases. Today, we offer our high-speed internet service to businesses and residents throughout Kitsap County.