Okanogan County Public Utility District Broadband

Connecting Okanogan

Okanogan PUD Electric Home

Conconully Fiber Project

In 2024, Public Utility District No. 1 of Okanogan County was awarded $3.8 million in broadband construction funding as part of the Washington State Public Works Board Broadband funding program (PWB). Of the $3.8 million, $2.66 million will be low-interest loan and $1.14 million is grant. Okanogan County has also contributed $500,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to be used towards material purchases.

The project consists of two components:

    • Construct 22 miles of middle mile infrastructure from the PUD’s existing network at the Okanogan office to Conconully. Access will be built into the 22 miles of middle mile fiber to allow customers to be connected to service along the route, but the costs fall outside the scope of this funding award.

    • Within Conconully, last mile fiber will be constructed to homes and businesses within the identified project area, making service available to approximately 350 end locations. The construction to these locations will be at no cost to the homeowners and is anticipated to begin in 2026.

Fiber INstall REquest

For a limited time, Okanogan PUD will, in most cases, cover the cost to connect identified homes and businesses to the fiber network infrastructure within the funded area. To be considered for a free fiber install, you must complete a fiber request form. NOTE: Completing this form does not activate internet service. You’ll still need to contact a provider to sign up and may be charged installation or deposit fees by the provider you choose.

Please respond by March 25, 2026 to be placed on the list for a fiber connection.

Please keep the following in mind:

      • Construction may involve digging and could temporarily impact your property
      • You must contact a Retail Service Provider to activate service.
      • Customers will be responsible for all installation, deposit, or monthly service fees charged by their provider.
      • Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026.

If we do not receive a response by this date, you may be considered not interested and may not be eligible for a free fiber install.

Addresses identified in the map below are eligible for a free install. Complete the form utilizing the map below to find your address and follow the link, or click here. Please complete an additional form for each property if you own more then one eligible location. 

Forms are also available at the Conconully City Hall, and may be left there for collection or returned to the Okanogan PUD office.

Fiber Request Form

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers pertaining to this specific project (see more on the main page)

Okanogan PUD has worked closely with the Okanogan Broadband Action Team (BAT) since it was established in 2019. Studies and a strategic action plan was developed highlighting areas with a lack of access. Once a grant was identified, the best suited area for being awarded was chosen and we were awarded from the Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) for Conconully.

Having the fiber cable ran to your home does not mean you need to take service. This simply prepares your home to receive it if you choose to in the future. One of the biggest barriers to fiber internet is the cost to run the cable. Studies have also shown that fiber availability can increase home value by almost 5%. (https://fiberbroadband.org/2024/10/30/fiber-broadband-driving-home-sales-and-value/)

We are building access into the middle mile portion of the fiber from Okanogan to Conconully, but connecting homes along the way is out of the scope of the grant.

We will announce to Retail Service Providers as areas along the middle mile become available for service. Build costs will be calculated for each fiber request and shared with the provider. All providers receive the same build cost, but they may charge different installation fees.

If you respond yes on the form it gets the physical line, called a “drop,” built from the PUD’s fiber network to your home – so you’re read for service when you want it.

Think of it like getting a water line installed: the pipe is there, but water won’t flow until you turn on service with a provider.

Please fill out a Fiber Install Request form even if your address does not show up. We will evaluate the location and let you know if we are able to add it to the construction list.

If your electrical service is currently delivered overhead from a pole, your fiber drop will also be aerial.

If you have a buried electrical drop, we will try to follow the same path, if possible, but you can also choose to install overhead if this is easier for you as the homeowner.

If you prefer a buried fiber drop, but have an overhead service, we may be able to accommodate this, but it would be at the homeowner’s expense.

After your drop is built, you will be informed that your premise is ready for service. You will then be ready to place an order with your preferred service provider. A list of providers is available at https://okpudfiber.org/#retailserviceprovider

If you have additional questions, please reach out to concfiber@okpud.org

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