• The Interconnection Site at 859 Willamette: Also known as the “Willamette Internet Exchange” or just the “WIX.”  Constructed in 2012 with ARRA funds and managed by the Lane Council of Governments (LCOG), the WIX is a carrier neutral facility designed to accommodate carrier switching and interconnection.  LCOG, with the support of the City of Eugene and federal funding is undertaking an expansion of the existing interconnection facility to increase capacity. Completion of the expansion is expected Summer of 2020.
  • The Regional Fiber Consortium: a public entity including many cities, counties, or other public entities with a shared interest in long haul fiber optic cables running throughout southern and western Oregon. The focus of this consortium is supporting rural broadband development.
  • Public Agency Network (PAN):  a partnership between participating public entities in the Eugene-Springfield area to dramatically improve the bandwidth for all agencies, through agreements to share certain fiber optic assets and transmission facilities. The PAN is currently sponsoring a mapping project to document regional fiber resources to the strand level.
  • EUGNet: A project specific partnership between City of Eugene, Eugene Water & Electric Board, Lane Council of Governments, and the Technology Association of Oregon. EUGNet is an “open access” fiber optic network in a specific area of Downtown Eugene. The fiber strands run underground from a central exchange to individual buildings. Recently, project staff talked with MuniNetworks.org for a national podcast. The interview touches on many different aspects of the project and the early benefits of this public-private partnership.
  • Springfield InfiNet: A suite of residential and business telecom infrastructure tools using publicly owned infrastructure in Springfield, Oregon to extend broadband internet services to our community. The goal is to increase community access to high-speed internet by enhancing the competitive landscape. This effort is supported by the Springfield Utility Board, the City of Springfield, Oregon and others.
  • City of Eugene: The City of Eugene is a champion of broadband in the region (and State and Nation). The City’s telecommunications program has been on the leading edge of municipal telecommunications issues, particularly those related to franchising and taxing. The City also has a history of supporting broadband efforts in support of economic development (e.g. the EUGNet project).
  • LinkOregon: A non-profit consortium of Oregon’s state government – through the Office of the State Chief Information Officer – and four research universities, together with the existing Network for Research & Education in Oregon (NERO) – housed at the University of Oregon. LinkOregon is developing and will operate a statewide, fiber-optic network to support the founding partners’ diverse public missions, including enhancing research and innovation, education, healthcare and public services for all Oregonians.
  • Eugene Water & Electric Board: For several decades, EWEB has maintained its own  fiber assets. In the 1990s EWEB pursued steps to add fiber as one of its services. EWEBs fiber assets initial use was to serve the utility’s communication needs, but leases of EWEB fiber are available for other purposes. At the request of customers, EWEB is increasingly involved in supporting fiber service to new developments (like the Riverfront project) and to special fiber projects like the EUGNet project. Internal commitment and direction would be needed for EWEB to take a larger proactive role in regional telecommunications.
  • National Recognition: Within the last three years, the region has received several high profile awards/designations. In the spring of 2017, Eugene was designated as a  Mozilla Gigabit City and in 2018, Eugene-Springfield was designated as a US Ignite Smart Gigabit Community. These designations bring resources to the region as well as national attention. View a video about Eugene’s Mozilla designation.
  • Technology Association of Oregon:  With a strong staff presence in Eugene-Springfield, TAO has been instrumental in uniting the region’s technology industry and important public efforts and resources. TAO empowers businesses and entrepreneurs through networks, events, resources and is a partner in numerous ongoing public-private endeavors.
  • K-12 Education: The Internet has immense potential to improve the reach and quality of education. It is therefore increasingly important for educators to actively promote access and tools for internet based learning. The Lane Education Service District (Lane ESD) provides wide area networking services and Internet Service Provision (ISP) to Lane County school districts, Monroe School District, and Lane Community College. Connected Lane County is a related umbrella organization for a number of education programs, including Lane STEM and Elevate Lane County.

Other entities are engaged in efforts to expand access to broadband within their respective areas and missions. This includes private internet service providers, public utilities, economic development personnel, IT personnel, and elected officials among others.