OMU Launches High-Speed Fiber Optics: Affordable Internet for Owensboro Residents and Businesses

Owensboro Municipal Utilities (OMU) has finished its fiber optics project. This project delivers high-speed internet access to all residential and commercial customers in its electric service area. Christopher Poynter, OMU’s telecommunications director, highlighted that this accomplishment advances their goal of providing reliable and affordable broadband service.

Poynter noted, “This project has been several years in the making.” They began with a pilot program to test its feasibility, and community support helped expand the service citywide. The focus throughout the project was on affordability and reliability.

OMU’s fiber internet is now accessible to every area receiving their electric services, including a newly completed northern section. However, this service is not available to OMU water and sewer customers outside the electric service area.

Sonya Dixon, OMU’s public relations manager, mentioned that they planned carefully to keep costs down for both the utility and its customers. “Our due diligence really paid off,” Dixon said. She pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic showed how vital reliable, high-speed internet is for education, work, and daily life.

Poynter emphasized the scalability of OMU’s fiber network for future technology needs, describing it as a long-term investment for the Owensboro community. “Fiber optics are like constructing a highway,” he explained. This technology can support higher speeds and bandwidth as demand increases.

OMU also provides local customer support, which Dixon says sets them apart from national providers. When customers call for help, they reach someone in Owensboro rather than an out-of-state call center. This local approach ensures the service meets the unique needs of the community.

OMU has operated in the fiber business since 1997, initially building infrastructure for internal use. Local leaders, like the late J.R. Miller, advocated for designing the fiber network with future expansion in mind. “J.R. Miller recommended installing additional fiber capacity during the initial build,” Poynter stated. This vision enabled efficient growth, and they have continued to build on that foundation.

The fiber service offers various speed and price options for residential and commercial customers, including gigabit speeds. Some commercial services even extend beyond the electric service area.

For more details about OMU’s fiber internet offerings, visit their website here.

Dixon expressed pride in being a local provider focused on community investment. “This project is about more than connectivity — it’s about economic development and supporting Owensboro’s future.”