If there was any question about Mayor Bill Mutz’s position on the Broadband debate it was surely made aware of today at the roundtable meeting at Catapult.
In light of Spectrum’s nationwide rollout of fiber internet services with nearly a gigabit of download speeds last year, Mutz said there is no need now for Lakeland to take on the “enormous financial and technological risks” to fill a market void with the creation of its own retail service.
The Mayor’s statement came during an event hosted by Catapult, the Lakeland Economic Development Council’s business incubator, in collaboration with Spectrum, an LEDC member.
Spectrum has announced it was spending $75,000 to equip Catapult’s new building north of Lake Mirror with gigabit-speed wired and wireless connectivity. Catapult 2.0 is expected to open in January.
During his comments, Mutz said he was grateful for Spectrum’s commitment to improving its network, and that as a result, “we (currently) have the capacity to be a gigabit city.”
Spectrum’s gigabit service costs $109.99 per month with a $199.99 activation fee, based on a review of multiple Lakeland addresses through the Spectrum website, though prices could vary by location.
Spectrum’s regional vice president, Marva Johnson, said her company recognizes “high-speed broadband creates many opportunities.”
Mutz’s statements in support of Spectrum, which would likely see a reduction in its market share in Lakeland if the city were to build its own internet utility.
The Mayor told The Lakeland Gazette a month ago he was not in favor of the venture at this time.
City Commissioner Justin Troller said he will push for a vote on municipal broadband service on the spring election ballot.