The Florida DOT envisions the Florida Fiber Network (FFN) as a Public Private Partnership involving the leasing of the rights to install telecommunications facilities along the FDOT right-of-way to telecommunications service providers and telecommunications infrastructure companies. In return, FDOT would receive consideration in the form of telecommunications capacity, or bandwidth, on fiber optic cable facilities installed by these firms. This bandwidth would take the form of dark fibers, which FDOT would then light to accommodate future FDOT ITS projects. The FFN would create the infrastructure for a statewide fiber optic network supporting the FDOT ITS program.

On July 14, 2000, FDOT issued a lease to FFN, Inc. for the FFN project. FFN, Inc. submitted the first-ranked proposal in response to an RFP issued by FDOT on March 17, 2000. This lease agreement was to cover all of the Interstate mileage and Turnpike mainline within the State, in excess of 2000 miles. During the last year FFN, Inc. tried diligently to obtain project financing and commitments from a variety of partners. However, this very favorable arrangement for FDOT was not ultimately realized. FDOT cancelled the lease agreement with FFN, Inc. on May 14, 2001.

During the past year the second ranked proposer to the FFN RFP, Universal Communication Networks, Inc., (UCN), has maintained contact with FDOT. During that time UCN stated that they were willing to stand by their proposal should the top ranked proposer prove unsuccessful. FDOT opened discussions with UCN on June 29, 2001, to pursue negotiating a potential lease.

Please contact Gene Glotzbach at (850) 410-5616 or gene.glotzbach@dot.state.fl.us for additional information