On December 2, 2021, long-time wireless internet provider and local fiber optic specialist Connext commenced a groundbreaking celebration for construction of internet service upgrades for Kaysville residents. The Kaysville City Fiber Project will bring the power of fiber optics to over 8,700 households across the city. This is only a part of a much larger initiative that Connext is embarking on that will ultimately connect residents to fiber internet from Willard south through the Salt Lake Valley. 

Connext initially began construction in the neighborhoods on the west side of I-15 and is on schedule to be completed citywide by Fall 2023. These areas were selected for the infrastructure construction to begin first as the residents showed the highest level of interest. Residents are encouraged to visit Connext’s website at connextbroadband.com/kaysville-fiber so their team can gauge the level of interest in each neighborhood as construction will break ground next in the area residents are most interested. 

Brian Papworth, Marketing Director for Connext, said “the plan is for Connext to go live in Kaysville homes within the first part of May.” Resident Jon Webb lives in the very first home to go live on May 5, “So grateful Connext has come to Kaysville,” he said. :True speeds, reliable connection, and great support!”

In a recent project tag along and interview with Papworth, he showed the first three homes to go live. We viewed the technical, drilling, fiber pulling, and customer notification crews to see their day-to-day complex process for this huge undertaking to install new infrastructure for this new utility. What it takes to connect an entire city, the sizable crew, and tasks involved is an overwhelming and huge undertaking.

The process starts with the Customer Notification Representative (CNR) going door to door in areas soon to begin the infrastructure process. Their intent is to keep residents informed of upcoming construction along with the opportunity to take advantage of the free connection. If residents are not home, the team leaves an informational door hanger. Lead CNR Specialist Thomas Wilson said, “An individual CNR can cover up to 10 miles and notify residents at over 100 houses in a single day.” This team includes TJ Wilson, Heather Protzman, and Roland Pierre-Louis.

Tyler LeClaire, Lead Infrastructure & Drilling Foreman, said “our crews have installed infrastructure to over 5,000 homes in Davis County and more than 1,500 homes in Kaysville City alone.” He said questions he gets are “how does that drill work” or “how do you steer it?” He explained once the drilling infrastructure for fiber pulling is in place, they shoot a rod with paddles and an electronic locator beacon to move forward and around corners. He said the crews stage their work in a general area and work inward to avoid congestion. He provided a wealth of information about avoiding utility lines and Blue Stakes, as well as line placements. He said crews drill about 1,000 feet per day, and a crew follows the drill crew with a pressure washer and works to fix any issues that same day. LeClaire said there is a place on the Connext website where the public can go to report any problems.

Fiber Install Foreman James Deahl explained “the crews are pulling up to 6,000 to 8,000 feet of fiber in a day.” He said the CNR’s going ahead of construction has proven helpful. He said it has been a rewarding job and typically “residents are happy to see us and just want to know – when will you get to my house?”  The goal of the infrastructure team is also to return everything back to pre construction condition. Deahl said “Things are going to happen and sometimes it takes a few days to remediate the situation, but it does get done and people are generally happy.”

Lead Technical Expert Justin Hayes and Install Tech Scott Johnson supplied information on home hookup/installation and showed us the actual process, including working with the individual homeowners. Hayes said they prefer unfinished basements for install but can also use phone lines. 

Papworth said, “this community investment by Connext will actually raise property values by about 3.1% for homeowners.” He said Connext plans to provide regular progress reporting and will closely coordinate its construction schedule with the city. l