In 2018, The City of Portland, through the Board of Light and Power, began exploring the possibility of providing broadband internet services to our residents and electric customers. The market appeared to be under-served and over the years residents often complained about existing internet service providers and the lack of options.

That said, the City conducted a broadband infrastructure feasibility study and statistically valid survey among our residents to validate this apparent need. In October of 2019, the City Council approved the next step which was to create an executable project plan (EPP). This process takes several months and involves engineering and designing the network which ultimately provides a truer cost estimate. 

The EPP was originally scheduled to be completed in April 2020, but due to the coronavirus, the project was suspended. The EPP process eventually resumed and the findings were presented to City Council at its public meeting on September 8, 2020. At its regularly scheduled meeting on April 18, 2022, the City Council approved the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Broadband Telecommunications Services pursuant to The Metro Act. The Public Notice and RFP can be found at the links below.

Should you have any questions, please Email the City Manager Tutt Gorman  or Phone at (517) 647-2931

• Public Notice for RFP (PDF)
• RFP for Broadband Telecommunications Services (PDF)
• Broadband Fiber Project Presentation - March 21, 2022 (PDF)
• Pulse Broadband Feasibility Study (PDF)   
• EPP & Financial Model (PDF)