Teams up with Truckee Donner PUD to leverage existing fiber-optic assets
Truckee, Calif. (January 16, 2018) – Much needed broadband coverage will soon be coming to the Truckee area, thanks to an agreement between Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) and Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications (PST) which allows PST to leverage existing TDPUD fiber optic infrastructure and facilities to expand high-speed internet services in Truckee.
“This agreement helps us bring true high-speed internet services to Truckee,” says Bob Marshall, PST CEO, “PST will be able to use TDPUD’s existing fiber optic lines, conduit and poles to cost-effectively expand coverage in Truckee where there is interest.”
It is not a far stretch that the two utilities work together to improve services to the area. Marshall is also the general manager for Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative, a sister electric utility to TDPUD. The two utilities provide mutual aid when needed, especially during storms and already have an established relationship.
“TDPUD is leveraging our assets to get true high-speed internet service to improve efficiency and allow us to better serve our customers,” said Steven Poncelet, TDPUD public information and strategic affairs manager. “Not only is TDPUD getting better broadband service, others in the community can benefit as well.”
PST is currently serving key commercial districts where TDPUD infrastructure and fiber is present. Tahoe Forest Hospital has been on the system since August, and PST is working to activate other accounts in the area in the near future. The area around Highway 89 North and Interstate-80 are well covered by PST services as well as the business districts. Residential areas may be served depending on the level of interest and the costs for PST to connect. Expansion of broadband services to new areas will also be facilitated by TDPUD’s expansion of its infrastructure.
There is an opportunity for homeowners associations and their members to work together to facilitate PST bringing services to subdivisions. Contacting PST to get on the interest list is key to helping PST identify opportunities to expand. You can inquire about signing up for service or be added to the interest list by call PST at (800) 221-3474 or visiting the PST website at www.pst.coop.
In addition to Truckee, there are communities just north of Truckee in Plumas County who recently banded together to work with PST to bring broadband services to their neighborhoods including Gold Mountain in Portola and Whitehawk in Clio. The first such community to work with PST was Sierra Park, in Quincy, in 2013.
“Fiber optic is very expensive to build,” says Corby Erwin, PST member services manager. “When enough residents get together though, it helps bring construction costs down for everybody, and this can move a project forward.”
About Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications:
Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications (PST) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (PSREC), providing high-quality telecommunications services to Lassen, Plumas, Sierra and Nevada counties in California, and Washoe County, Nevada.
Founded in 1937, PSREC is a member-owned electric distribution, transmission and generation utility providing electrical power and related services to more than 7,500 member/owners in Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra counties in California, and parts of Washoe County, Nevada. The cooperative is controlled by the membership through an elected seven-person board of directors. For more information about PST, call 800-221-3474 or visit www.pst.coop.
About Truckee Donner PUD:
TDPUD is a public utility district created in 1927 and overseen by a locally elected board of directors. TDPUD is a non-profit entity that provides the greater Truckee area with reliable and high quality water and power services while guiding the community to conserve resources. For more information about the TDPUD, visit www.tdpud.org.
Truckee, Calif. (January 16, 2018) – Much needed broadband coverage will soon be coming to the Truckee area, thanks to an agreement between Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) and Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications (PST) which allows PST to leverage existing TDPUD fiber optic infrastructure and facilities to expand high-speed internet services in Truckee.
“This agreement helps us bring true high-speed internet services to Truckee,” says Bob Marshall, PST CEO, “PST will be able to use TDPUD’s existing fiber optic lines, conduit and poles to cost-effectively expand coverage in Truckee where there is interest.”
It is not a far stretch that the two utilities work together to improve services to the area. Marshall is also the general manager for Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative, a sister electric utility to TDPUD. The two utilities provide mutual aid when needed, especially during storms and already have an established relationship.
“TDPUD is leveraging our assets to get true high-speed internet service to improve efficiency and allow us to better serve our customers,” said Steven Poncelet, TDPUD public information and strategic affairs manager. “Not only is TDPUD getting better broadband service, others in the community can benefit as well.”
PST is currently serving key commercial districts where TDPUD infrastructure and fiber is present. Tahoe Forest Hospital has been on the system since August, and PST is working to activate other accounts in the area in the near future. The area around Highway 89 North and Interstate-80 are well covered by PST services as well as the business districts. Residential areas may be served depending on the level of interest and the costs for PST to connect. Expansion of broadband services to new areas will also be facilitated by TDPUD’s expansion of its infrastructure.
There is an opportunity for homeowners associations and their members to work together to facilitate PST bringing services to subdivisions. Contacting PST to get on the interest list is key to helping PST identify opportunities to expand. You can inquire about signing up for service or be added to the interest list by call PST at (800) 221-3474 or visiting the PST website at www.pst.coop.
In addition to Truckee, there are communities just north of Truckee in Plumas County who recently banded together to work with PST to bring broadband services to their neighborhoods including Gold Mountain in Portola and Whitehawk in Clio. The first such community to work with PST was Sierra Park, in Quincy, in 2013.
“Fiber optic is very expensive to build,” says Corby Erwin, PST member services manager. “When enough residents get together though, it helps bring construction costs down for everybody, and this can move a project forward.”
About Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications:
Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications (PST) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (PSREC), providing high-quality telecommunications services to Lassen, Plumas, Sierra and Nevada counties in California, and Washoe County, Nevada.
Founded in 1937, PSREC is a member-owned electric distribution, transmission and generation utility providing electrical power and related services to more than 7,500 member/owners in Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra counties in California, and parts of Washoe County, Nevada. The cooperative is controlled by the membership through an elected seven-person board of directors. For more information about PST, call 800-221-3474 or visit www.pst.coop.
About Truckee Donner PUD:
TDPUD is a public utility district created in 1927 and overseen by a locally elected board of directors. TDPUD is a non-profit entity that provides the greater Truckee area with reliable and high quality water and power services while guiding the community to conserve resources. For more information about the TDPUD, visit www.tdpud.org.
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