GigaPower, a joint venture funded in part by AT&T, announced Thursday that it intends to build a fiber-optic network between south Minneapolis and St. Paul. Paul, Minnesota area.
The company said it intends to deploy fiber in the communities of Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Eagan, Savage, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Farmington, Lakeville, Rosemount and Shakopee.
Gigapower is a joint venture between AT&T and BlackRock created to further expand the reach of faster fiber-optic Internet services. Unlike AT&T, which is building its own fiber network, GigaPower’s strategy is to build out the infrastructure and then lease capacity to other companies and local internet service providers.
Other local businesses can provide online services to consumers and pay GigaPower for capacity. It’s similar to the wholesale relationships wireless companies have with various companies, such as Charter Communications’ spectrum or Comcast’s leasing capacity from Verizon to power its mobile services.
AT&T will serve as the initial “tenant” as these networks are built.
A company spokesperson did not comment on what the potential timing of the build would be.
GigaPower previously announced it would build a fiber network in Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, and parts of Arizona, Alabama and Florida.
According to Light Reading, the company said some initial builds are expected to be completed by 2025.
