Meet Huntsville Utilities: Public-Private Partnership Uses Dark Fiber for a Bright Future

When Alabama’s Huntsville Utilities set out to build its own fiber transport network, the goal was bigger than faster internet; it was about preparing the city for the future. City officials’ eyes were on a crucial partnership with Google Fiber to make it happen.

As Joe Gehrdes, Director of External Affairs, explains, “Becoming a Google city was something that was on our mayor’s radar early during his time at City Hall, and our electric utility was already interested in using fiber to improve our network. When city leadership began talking about gig-speed availability, the pieces fell into place. Once Google realized they wouldn’t have to make the capital outlay or handle permitting, they were very interested in leasing our fiber. That anchor tenant lit the fire.”

What started as a spark has set the city ablaze - over 53 miles of new fiber cable was added to the network last year alone, with the network just shy of 1,300 route miles today. Additionally, Huntsville Utilities is currently working with the city’s police department to install fiber access for their cameras and traffic signals throughout Huntsville. It’s just the latest in the many ways leasing fiber has changed the city’s trajectory for the better.

Because Huntsville Utilities had the cash reserves to fund the project without borrowing, the city avoided debt while investing in infrastructure that will last for generations. The utility retains ownership of the fiber, leasing it to Google Fiber under a 20-year agreement that now generates seven figures annually. Schools, hospitals, and city facilities also benefit from the network’s capacity, creating both community-wide value and financial stability.

The results have been transformative. Competition sparked improvements from incumbents like Comcast and AT&T, providing residents with more choices and lower prices. “In most parts of the city, you now have multiple high-speed options,” Gehrdes noted. The timing was impeccable. That competitive pressure proved invaluable when the pandemic hit, ensuring that families had the connectivity they needed for remote learning, telehealth, and work-from-home.

While city schools already had a connectivity agreement with Google Fiber, leaders knew many families still lacked reliable home Wi-Fi. Working alongside the local technology company Adtran, they quickly set up outdoor Wi-Fi at school sites, allowing students to safely connect from parking lots and adjacent public spaces. Huntsville Utilities’ fiber backbone made rapid deployment possible as the utility knew exactly where capacity existed and could prioritize routes to keep traffic resilient.

What emerged was a community in harmony: the school district, a local tech company, the utility, and Google Fiber all moving in sync to solve an urgent access gap. The project didn’t just bridge learning during the lockdown, it showcased how a utility-owned fiber network can catalyze creative solutions, from smart, energy-efficient equipment choices to rapid, on-the-ground implementation. It’s a model Huntsville can adapt again and again.

Unlike many municipal efforts, Huntsville Utilities never set out to become an internet service provider. Instead, they focused on what utilities do best: building and maintaining infrastructure. By handling “make ready” improvements on poles and maintaining fiber alongside its electrical network, Huntsville Utilities ensures resilience and quick response times for tenants like Google.

Seven years in, the model is working. “It’s expensive, but it’s a smart investment,” Gehrdes said. “Just like water pipes that last a century, fiber is stable and durable. If you don’t want to get into the ISP space, leasing it out is a great option.”

Looking ahead, Huntsville is exploring ways to expand coverage across Madison County, where demand remains high in neighboring communities. While state regulations limit where utilities can serve, conversations are ongoing about extending the model county-wide.

For Gehrdes, the lesson is clear: public-private partnerships can deliver enormous benefits when structured around community ownership. “It’s been great for us, great for the city, and we’re happy to share our experience with any utility looking to replicate this approach.”