CAMP SHERMAN BROADBAND FIBER PROJECT

Bringing fast, reliable, affordable Internet to Camp Sherman

Background & History

The Challenge of Internet Connectivity in Camp Sherman

Over the last decade, securing a fast, reliable and affordable internet connection in Camp Sherman has been virtually impossible. Due to Camp Sherman’s remote location surrounded by National Forest, fiber broadband connection has yet to reach our unique town. Treasured old growth forests have likewise impeded wireless viewsheds, rendering satellite and fixed wireless systems unreliable. Various internet service providers have written off Camp Sherman as a viable business opportunity, as the cost of upgrading existing equipment to current standards exceeds the amount of income to be generated. These challenges have left local businesses, Black Butte School District, residents, and potential residents behind 21st Century opportunities.

Timeline Summary of Past Efforts to Improve Connectivity

Black Butte School District (BBSD), along with other committed local stakeholders, have tried a number of different tactics to improve broadband connectivity over the past decade. While past initiatives have resulted in limited improvements for some stakeholders, no solution has proven successful in truly meeting the needs of our community.

2014

Black Butte School District (BBSD) partnered with Bend Broadband to apply for a USDA grant to fund a fiber connection. Unfortunately, we were not selected for funding.
2014

2017

Community petition sent to Century Link to request an upgrade in service for Camp Sherman. The petition resulted in no clear response and no proposed upgrade.

2017

2018

Direct request sent to Century Link to install a fiber connection. Century Link responded, saying they could not justify the cost.

2018

2016-2020

BBSD reached out to other local internet service providers, including Yellowknife and Sureline Broadband, to explore other types of service options, such as fixed wireless.

2016-2020

2021

In January, Sureline Broadband established fixed-wireless connectivity in Camp Sherman using COVID-19 relief funds, as a temporary relief method. The service was made available to BBSD, select community businesses, and approximately 30 Camp Sherman homes. Realizing this was not a long-term solution for the community, Sureline began looking into the feasibility of fiber.

2021

2021

Starlink began to establish satellite service to a select number of local homes and home-based businesses. Only a limited number of kits are available at this time.

2021

2021

In May, BBSD contracted with Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) to develop a Community Broadband Needs Assessment. The Assessment was completed in September. See below for more information about this project!

2021

2022

Construction of the new AT&T 5G cell tower completed. The new tower enables connection to the FirstNet Emergency Response Network. It also improves cell coverage, making mobile hotspots another, more viable broadband option for Camp Sherman residents.

2022

2022

The Jefferson County Broadband Assessment and Feasibility Study completed.

To find out more about this Study go to:

https://www.jeffco.net/jc-eCheckup

2022

2022

USFS approved a permit application to construct a fiber line using existing power poles across Green Ridge from Sisters to Camp Sherman. 

2022

2023

Black Butte School District, with the assistance of COIC, will submit a grant proposal to fund the Design and Engineering of fiber to the home. Having a D&E plan supports applications to federal grants for the construction of the project. 

2023

*Additional details on past efforts and initiatives can be found on pages 22-23 of the BBSD Broadband Needs Assessment.

Black Butte School District Community Broadband Needs Assessment

During the 2020-21 school year, BBSD received funding from the Oregon Department of Education to support a Comprehensive Distance Learning program in response to COVID-19. Some of those funds were used to support a Community Broadband Needs Assessment. Black Butte School District partnered with the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC), who also provided matching funds, to conduct the research and write a report detailing the current status of broadband connectivity in the District. The report provides a picture of the current needs and gaps in broadband service for the school, local businesses, and residents, which helps make a strong case for additional investment in our community.

A primary goal going forward is to utilize the BBSD Broadband Needs Assessment to support future Camp Sherman-specific grant applications to expand access to the Camp Sherman community through the installation of fiber-optic service. To make this happen, the community must continue to build an effective and mutually beneficial partnership with a private-sector internet service provider. Sureline Broadband is prepared to make a significant investment in this potential project, and has already conducted a fiber feasibility analysis. A secondary goal of the needs assessment is to serve as a supplemental report to be incorporated into a Jefferson County-wide Broadband Assessment and Feasibility Study, which is currently underway.

Welcome to Camp Sherman
About the Camp Sherman Fiber Project

Why fiber, and why now?

A fiber internet connection is fast, reliableaffordable, and able to adapt to future innovations, in other words, “future-proof.” Additionally, the fiber project will not negatively impact the precious ecological and cultural resources of the basin, as it will utilize existing power pole lines and electrical easements to deliver service.

Recently, the State of Oregon and Federal Government have passed legislation providing significant monetary investment to connect rural communities, such as Camp Sherman, to reliable broadband systems. With a variety of grant opportunities available, our community Broadband Needs Assessment complete, and a secure private-sector partnership, Camp Sherman is in a great position to apply for grant funding to offset the cost of a fiber installation project.

Project Rollout
In 2022, Camp Sherman Broadband Team members believed we could complete this project in two phases: the “middle mile” and the “last mile.” In order to qualify for the grants that have been released, it is now best to apply for one grant to cover the cost of the entire project, and deliver fiber to the home in one project. A fiber connection (the “middle mile”) from Sisters to Camp Sherman will connect to a main fiber line that will reach the core of Camp Sherman. The main fiber line route will be determined by interest for a fiber connection expressed by homeowners and businesses during the planning phase, as well as the amount of awarded grant funding. The build-out within Camp Sherman will take place at one time and extensions to this core line may be limited or unavailable after completion. Anyone who wishes to connect to the system must pre-order services after the project receives official approval and funding. Most properties in Camp Sherman will be able to connect to the main fiber line. There may be some options to connect to the system for remote properties in Camp Sherman that will not be able to directly connect to the main fiber line. Some may be able to connect with a wireless connection. Others may be able to pay extra to connect to the main line. Costs and available options to connect will vary depending on the location of each property. It is very important that property owners express interest to connect to the main fiber line during the planning phase of the project. Any property owners who are not able to connect during the project construction, will incur a non-reoccurring charge (NRC) starting at $1000 to connect. This includes properties situated close to the fiber line. Properties that are more remote could incur much larger costs to connect. For property owners that pre-order services, most likely any NRC would be covered by grant funds. You can express your interest by submitting a letter of interest here.
Role of Sureline Broadband and Blue Mountain Networks

To successfully compete for grant funding, it is important for Camp Sherman to demonstrate that we have a strong partnership with a private sector internet service provider who is able to complete the installation and maintain the resulting network. Sureline Broadband (recently acquired by Blue Mountain Networks) has demonstrated a commitment to bringing fiber service to Camp Sherman, even if they do not profit on this venture. Sureline Broadband has already invested in feasibility analysis, as well as secured a USFS conditional use permit to build the “middle mile” from Sisters to Camp Sherman. It is our goal to find a mutually beneficial pathway to fiber connectivity, which results in reliable connectivity for our community and a solid business model.

Proposed Fiber Infrastructure

The conditional use permit from the USFS allows Sureline to utilize an existing power pole line, which runs from Sisters, across Green Ridge and into Camp Sherman. This line was originally built by Central Oregon Electric Cooperative, but is not currently in use. 

Additional conditional use permits from USFS will be required to build the main line within Camp Sherman and out to various private properties, not directly connected to the core of Camp Sherman. 

Frequently Asked Questions

While the vast majority of Camp Sherman properties will be able to connect directly to the fiber, likely not every household in the basin will be able to connect due to the remoteness of some properties. Some properties may be able to wirelessly connect to the fiber. Others may not be able to connect at all. 

Unless your property is very remote, you will likely be able to connect to the fiber service. In addition, fiber connectivity is not vulnerable to winter weather events, which made Sureline’s fixed wireless service (and some satellite options) less consistently reliable for some customers.

Yes. To make sure that the lot is considered in the process, you'll need to sign a letter of interest including the address for any undeveloped lot.  A "splice point" will then be planned into the system at that lot, into which a fiber connection to future construction can be built (likely a Non-Reoccurring Charge will be required). If your property has not been subdivided, but you are interested in an additional splice point at your existing address, please indicate that at the bottom of the letter form. 

Sureline Broadband is now partnered with Blue Mountain Networks. Blue Mountain Networks has years of experience hooking up rural areas to fiber. They have committed to providing excellent customer service during the rollout of the fiber project. 

At this point in the process, the USFS has not granted special use permits to connect to any lots that they own. However, it is possible that a permit could be granted for each cabin that wishes to connect to the fiber. Once the permit for the "middle mile" (connection from Sisters to Camp Sherman) is completed, Sureline Broadband/Blue Mountain Networks will be working towards an engineering plan that will include all addresses associated with a Letter of Interest, including USFS summer cabins. Concurrently, our team will begin conversations with USFS about what the permit process will look like for summer cabins and other remote properties in Camp Sherman. The probability is that the fiber will go along any existing electrical easements. If electricity is delivered on your property below ground, a special use permit including archaeological supervision for digging will be required. This website will be updated when more information is available.

One of the great benefits (there are many), of fiber is that it is passive.  In other words, it doesn’t carry any voltage.  So, the risk of fire is almost nil!

 

Although the pole line on which the fiber will be installed in ~75 years old, many of these poles will still be serviceable for the fiber line. Poles that aren't serviceable will be replaced. 

Get Involved!

To make this fiber project happen, we need the support of community members like you! Here are ways to get involved:

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