Southern-PSC Partnership 

For many years, PSC has been deploying fiber optic broadband throughout its own telephone cooperative territory. Approximately 50% of Southern members are also PSC co-op members, many of which are already connected to PSC’s fiber. PSC is two years out from having 100% of their cooperative being connected to fiber, bringing to closure their 12-year, $60 million project. 

The remaining 50% of Southern’s members lack access to quality broadband. Engineering estimates of building fiber optics to remaining Southern members is approximately $23.7 million. For over two years now, Southern and PSC have been working on plans to bring high-speed broadband (internet) to these remaining Southern members. We are happy to report that the project is now in the deployment stage.

Construction updates

Plans are to construct the entire fiber mainline network over the next two years. Fiber drops and customer connections in the grant funded area will also be constructed over the next 1-2 years. Fiber drops and customer connections in the non-grant areas will be constructed later but still within a five-year timeframe. 

The project is broken down into eight phases of construction. We currently are making good progress, considering the Covid-19 pandemic and all of the ups and downs of Indiana weather. We are happy to report that phases 1-3 of mainline construction of approximately 125 miles of fiber is nearing completion. We are expecting nearly 500 accounts to be fully connected by the end of this summer. Phases 4-5 of mainline construction is ongoing now, and phases 6-8 of mainline construction is slated to begin later this year. 

What to expect

The first question inevitably asked is“When will I be connected to fiber?”The easiest way to find out is to visit www.fiber.psci.net and enter your address to see if you are within the covered boundaries of these initial grant-funded areas. It is not, you will still be able to submit an interest form so we can track demand for our planned future fiber projects in your area.

As fiber construction nears your area, Southern and PSC will be in contact with you by mail and offer sign-up opportunities. Be sure to look for these mailings in the near future. 

Please see the list below of estimated timelines for each fiber broadband project for Southern members over the next five years. Again, please visit www.fiber.psci.net for additional information.

• Remaining PSC Coop Members: 1-2 years
• PSC/Southern NLC Grant Areas: 1-2 years
• PSC/Southern Non-Grant Areas/Future Builds: 2-5 years

It is important for all Southern members to know we will not stop constructing fiber broadband until all Southern members have access to high-speed fiber broadband in their area. Until then, we thank you in advance for your patience. A high-speed fiber connection is definitely in your future.

PHASE 1: ROCKY POINT AREA
67 miles of fiber constructed

PHASE 2: TELL CITY – TROY – EVANSTON – NEW BOSTON
68 miles of fiber constructed

PHASE 3: SANTA CLAUS AREA
10 miles of fiber constructed

PHASE 4: SPENCER COUNTY TRANSPORT ROUTE
Construction in progress

PHASE 5: DALE AREA
Construction in progress

PHASE 6: CHRISNEY AREA
Construction begins July 2021

PHASE 7: GRANDVIEW AREA
Construction begins August 2021

PHASE 8: REO AREA
Construction begins August 2021