- Tuesday January 17th 2023
GTS signs interim agreement with Southside Network Authority at the HRPDC Regional Building.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
JANUARY 17, 2023
Southside Network Authority Signs Interim Agreement for Operations of Regional Fiber Network
Global Technical Systems named operator of regional connectivity ring; agreement includes dark fiber for residential and business customers, regional institutional users, economic development and historically disadvantaged communities, and revenue-sharing.
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – The Southside Network Authority (SNA) signed an interim agreement for a public-private partnership with Global Technical Systems (GTS) for the operations, maintenance, and marketing of the regional connectivity ring. The regional connectivity ring is a 119-mile, 288-strand fiber-optic backbone network for the southside Hampton Roads region.
Upon completion of the ring, GTS will lease 96 strands of the initial 288-strand ring and will provide maintenance and marketing services for the ring. The agreement includes leasing dark fiber to residential and business customers, regional institutional users, economic development and historically disadvantaged communities, and revenue-sharing.
“This is a significant moment for Hampton Roads and the future of our regional economy and quality of life,” said SNA Chair and Norfolk City Councilwoman Andria McClellan. “This GTS agreement is an important next step for the SNA to activate our regional fiber ring and to expand awareness and connectivity to the fastest internet speeds on the east coast, solidifying Hampton Roads as a digital port. We are eager and excited about this unprecedented high speed access to attract new high-tech business, to support our educational and research institutions, and to bring new internet service providers, with the goal of creating internet competition, lowering prices and increasing speeds for residents.”
GTS will receive the right to lease further strands from the SNA at defined prices, and the exclusive right to market the ring for up to 60 months when performance goals for system buildout have been met.
“GTS understood the gravity of this moment and the importance of this project,” said SNA Vice Chair and Virginia Beach Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson. “Their partnership demonstrates their commitment to our regional success.”
“Global Technical Systems is pleased to be the strategic partner of the SNA on the regional connectivity ring to deliver a world class open access carrier neutral network that will create new residential, business and government connectivity options,” said Terry Spitzer, CEO of Global Technical Systems. “As a local Hampton Roads company GTS is working to address digital divide issues and expand this network to all 17 municipalities in the region. We are committed to supporting economic development initiatives that will grow our local economy.”
The Southside Network Authority is a regional initiative between the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. The objective of the SNA and the regional connectivity ring is to enhance availability and affordability of internet in the Hampton Roads region. The regional connectivity ring will be an open-access network for use by commercial and institutional users.
About the Southside Network Authority: The Southside Network Authority, which was created by the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach in November 2019, was charged with finding a regional solution to the region’s need for expanded and more affordable internet connectivity. This southside fiber ring is the first phase of an open-access network that will enhance the availability and affordability of internet in the Hampton Roads region; provide the fastest internet speeds on the east coast; and expand economic development opportunities for the entire region.
About the HRPDC: The HRPDC is a regional political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia established to encourage and facilitate cooperation among local, state and federal governments and agencies to address, on a regional basis, problems or issues that transcend jurisdictional boundaries. Comprised of local elected and appointed officials, this organization serves the 1.7 million residents and the 17 jurisdictions of the Hampton Roads region.