February 19, 2025

SESD & UBB Fiber Project Progress Updates

*Updates are as of May 2026

The South Utah Valley Electric Service District (SESD) is leading one of the most impactful rural infrastructure projects in Utah County — bringing high-speed fiber internet to the West Mountain and Lake Shore communities in partnership with Utah Broadband (UBB).

What started as a vision to close the digital divide in rural southern Utah Valley is now becoming a reality for hundreds of homes and businesses. SESD proactively secured Broadband Access Grant funding for the project and selected Utah Broadband as its internet service provider partner to design, build, and operate the network.

Today, more than 65% of the project is complete, with fiber service already available to nearly 600 homes throughout the project area.

This is what local infrastructure leadership looks like. SESD did not wait for outside providers to solve the connectivity challenges facing their communities. They took initiative, secured funding, and invested directly in the future of the people they serve.

Project Update — May 2026

The West Mountain Fiber Project is being completed in six major construction phases. Significant progress has already been made across the service area.

Current Construction Status

Phases 1, 2, and 3: Complete
Construction and make-ready work have been finalized throughout the northern and central portions of the project area.
Phase 4: In Progress
Construction crews are actively building Phase 4, which is approaching 50% completion.
Phases 5 and 6: Coming Next
Final design and construction activities will continue through the end of 2026.

To date, the project has achieved several major milestones:

More than 240 utility poles replaced
Nearly 50 miles of fiber optic cable installed
Nearly 600 homes have service availability today

SESD’s planning and electric crews have played a critical role throughout the project, assisting with route planning, permitting, make-ready coordination, and ongoing construction support to help keep the build on schedule.

Why Fiber Internet Matters for West Mountain

For years, many residents in West Mountain and Lake Shore had limited options for reliable, high-speed internet service. This fiber network changes that.

With fiber internet from SESD and Utah Broadband, residents now have access to:

Internet speeds up to 2 Gbps
Reliable connectivity for remote work and online learning
Better access to telehealth and modern digital services
Seamless streaming, gaming, and smart home connectivity
A locally operated network backed by local customer support

This investment is about much more than internet access. It is about creating opportunities for rural communities to thrive in a modern digital world.

Families can stay connected. Students can complete schoolwork without interruptions. Small businesses can compete from anywhere. Farmers and ranchers can operate more efficiently using modern technology and connected equipment.

Reliable broadband infrastructure is no longer optional — it is essential.

A Partnership Built for the Community

SESD is not simply sponsoring this project — they are leading it.

As a trusted electric service district serving thousands of homes and businesses across southern Utah Valley, SESD understands the importance of investing in long-term infrastructure that benefits the entire community. By championing this fiber buildout, SESD has become one of the few rural utilities in the country actively helping deliver next-generation broadband service to its residents.

Utah Broadband is proud to serve as SESD’s ISP partner. Together, the two organizations have completed more than 1.5 years of planning, design, permitting, make-ready work, and active construction, with the full network expected to be operational by the end of 2026.

“This project is about more than internet,” said Ben Elkins, CEO of Utah Broadband. “It is about what happens when a community utility decides to invest in its people.”

SESD Board Chairman Raymond Loveless echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that improved connectivity creates better opportunities and services for every household and business within the district.