Could the "Iowa Fiber Alliance" help the operational costs of Decorah's Metronet?

Think of the "Iowa Fiber Alliance" as a "Metronet made up of individual Metronets."  In other words, a system that joins together a fiber transport network that serves cities in Eastern Iowa much the same way Decorah's Metronet ties together six governmental Internet users in Winneshiek County.

County GIS Coordinator and Decorah City Administrator Chad Bird gave county supervisors an update on the project Monday.  Lubke told supervisors "Our needs are always growing" and the Iowa Fiber Alliance would possibly be a way to better serve those needs.  For instance, the Metronet currently pays around $5/Mb for service from regional Internet providers.  Tying into the buying power of 12 other communities could reduce that cost to 20 cents/Mb.

Bird says the Iowa Fiber Alliance could offer not just Internet access, but voice and video services through the network.  Lubke says the top reason to join the Fiber Alliance, however, would be the cost savings.

So if the Iowa Fiber Alliance is such a good idea, why hasn't Metronet joined the network?  First of all, the idea is still in the feasibility study stage.  Secondly, the estimated cost of installing the regional network is $26 million to $36 million--or $2 to $3 million per partner is all 13 communities take part.  That cost means the Fiber Alliance would take 11 to 16 years to repay its investment.