SEATTLE — WAVE Broadband is spending millions to expand its high-speed fiber network in Seattle.
Moreover, because of some rule changes made earlier this year, the company could someday offer cable options to compete directly with long-time dominant carrier Comcast.
“We currently serve Capitol Hill, downtown Seattle, (and) Beacon Hill, and we’ve expanded into Ballard, West Seattle, Queen Anne,” said WAVE CEO Steven Weed.
However, Weed said there is one thing slowing down his ability to expand WAVE’s network and bring more competition to more parts of Seattle.
“For us, it’s about the permitting process, making it simpler and quicker for us to get the permits to hang the fiber on the poles,” Weed said. “Probably over 100 cities we’re filing permits in to build fiber in, and Seattle is the slowest at processing permits.”
For that reason, WAVE has so far focused on expanding into big buildings Seattle. The utility pole permitting problem makes it harder to offer options in single family home neighborhoods.
A staff member in Councilman Bruce Harrell’s office said the city wants more competition, and promises to work with WAVE on the utility pole concern. The hope is more options will keep prices lower.
KIRO
