A new spotlight on the American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB) site highlights Huntsville Utilities’ public-private partnership with Google Fiber as a transformative example of municipal broadband success.
Huntsville’s fiber backbone comprises roughly 1,300 route miles, and the utility reported adding more than 50 miles last year. The corridor was leased to Google Fiber under a 20-year agreement, aligning a public utility with a private provider to expand gigabit access.
Industry officials say the deal yields a seven-figure annual return, underscoring how public assets can generate sustained value when properly managed and leased for service delivery.
According to the AAPB spotlight, the partnership spurred competition among incumbents such as Comcast and AT&T, leading to more consumer choices and lower prices in Huntsville.
The AAPB noted that Huntsville Utilities did not intend to become an internet service provider. Instead, the focus remained on building and maintaining fiber infrastructure, with the service layer built by a private partner.
For the full piece, read the AAPB feature on their site. Read here. Subscribe to Broadband Communities for ongoing coverage.
