Update on SiFi High-Speed Fiber Project

In 2018 the City issued an approval to SiFi Networks (https://sifinetworks.com/), a private company, to install a micro-trenched fiber optic network along City streets in order to bring a high-speed internet service provider (ISP) into the community for residents and businesses.

The company has completed a demand analysis and preliminary plan for their network design and has signed an ISP for the network. In May, SiFi held an introductory meeting with Salem officials and the project’s selected contractor and engineers.

SiFi continues to work with the City on site-selection for above-ground components of the system. The City and SiFi are working together to establish the best options available for construction ahead of the network being installed throughout all City streets.

As a first step in the project, SiFi’s engineers will conduct a field survey along the routes and properties to be served by the network. SiFi will notify the City prior to the start of this field survey, and the City will issue a public notification of the start of this work at www.salem.com. The company anticipates that the field survey will take approximately 90 days. Once the design engineering is complete, SiFi will submit detailed construction documents and permit applications to relevant agencies and boards. The company estimates that those permit applications will be filed four to six months from the start of the field survey work.

Based on this timeline, no micro-trenching construction for the network is anticipated this calendar year. There is a possibility that some ancillary equipment necessary to the network could be installed this fall. Before any such work takes place, the City will provide a public update at www.salem.com.

Thank you for your patience as SiFi continues to advance their work to provide this service to Salem’s businesses and residents.