What is Broadband?
The term “broadband” can be used in a variety of ways and most often represents a communication line or medium that has greater bandwidth than a typical phone line. Coaxial-cable used with a television is an example of a copper broadband medium. Franklin PUD uses fiber as a broadband medium to transport information from one point to another in the form of light. Fiber is the fastest most reliable and secure medium for broadband. Franklin PUD began installing a broadband backbone system in Pasco in 2001. Several years ago the Washington state legislature agreed that utilities could install a fiber optic backbone for utility purposes and lease out excess capacity to Retail Service Providers (RSP), government agencies and others. Franklin PUD Commissioners authorized development of the network for our needs and the needs of our community.

How does Broadband Work?
The light is easily transmitted through fibers or thin strands of glass. The use of fiber in telecommunications is growing because it is durable, reliable, and provides more bandwidth (information-carrying capacity) than traditional telecommunications metallic-based cable. The use of fiber optics in telecommunications ranges from global networks to local telephone exchanges in Internet subscribers’ homes. All involve the transmission of voice, data or video over distances from hundreds of feet to hundreds or thousands of miles.