Kaysville fiber proponents brag about offering gigabit speeds that are crazy fast — the Ferrari of the internet world. It’s the kind of thing that gets a lot of attention. Most Kaysville residents and business owners don’t need a Ferrari — who does? Indeed, Netflix recommends only 5 Mbs for HD streaming, and Zoom recommends only 4 Mbs. No matter how many people you have in your house, you don’t need gigabit speeds to do multiple routine things. Yes, fiber is fast, but at what cost?
Many residents want Kaysville fiber to spur potential increased competition with Comcast and CenturyLink. This is valid. However, those two companies have deep pockets to lower rates and increase service speed, if necessary. Kaysville fiber can’t necessarily do the same and meet its financial obligations. In addition, Kaysville fiber fails to respectfully acknowledge new broadband offerings that are in the works such as Starlink, Kuiper and 5G from wireless carriers. Each of these are coming online in the next few years, and will provide a mobile rather than wired solution. While none are currently as fast as the fiber Ferrari, each provides sufficient bandwidth for 99% of residents' needs. Technology companies are putting 5G chips into phones, TVs, computers and cars. At some point, most will opt for just the mobile version rather than pay for two services. Kaysville fiber will be faced with the cord cutter problem in a few years.
Lastly, I’m afraid many of the proponents of Kaysville fiber just want fast internet and they want it now, with little concern for inherent long-term financial risks. It’s not worth it.
Let’s be wise. We should let the market provide us with the solutions we need without going into bondage for 30 years, building bigger government just because we want it.
Michael Flood, Kaysville