UTOPIA debate heats up

Using newspaper ads, radio spots and press conferences, UTOPIA supporters and opponents are getting their message out to Salt Lake City residents before the Salt Lake City Council votes on whether to join the fiber-optic network.

Radio ads taken out by the Utah Taxpayers Association have called UTOPIA a gamble with tax dollars.

On the other side, supporters of the Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency took out a nearly full-page newspaper ad to counter those arguments.

The ad, paid for by Utahns For Telecom Choice states, "Don't let anyone fool you about UTOPIA," adding that Qwest fears an end to a communications monopoly.

Officials for the group say they will also be airing radio ads.

So far, 10 cities have decided through their city councils to join UTOPIA, with another two deciding to stay interested but not build in their cities for about five years.

One city, South Jordan, voted to completely pull out of UTOPIA. The city councils in Payson and Roy are expected to vote on UTOPIA this week. Recent legislation requires UTOPIA cities to have a decision before April 15.

While some cities have opted in, the fight is heating up over Salt Lake City's decision. Having Salt Lake City could lend a lot of support for UTOPIA. Utah's second-largest city, West Valley City, was one of the first to pledge $2.8 million in tax money for the network.

The council is expected to meet April 13 to vote on whether it will place $4.1 million in escrow for its portion of the system.

If UTOPIA should somehow fail, each participating city stands to loose its tax pledge.

The $540 million fiber-optic network would provide enough bandwidth to support telephone, Internet and digital television in one connection. Proponents say the network would provide a huge advantage for Utah business as well as education, particularly in rural communities.

In order to build the network, cities must pledge a percentage of their sales tax revenue to back bonds. Telecommunications companies would then be invited to compete on the UTOPIA network for services.

Opponents to the plan say Utah cities have no business taking on such a risky venture using tax money.

"If it's in the Yellow Pages, then government should stay out of it," said Ron Casper, state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses, Monday at the Salt Lake Main Library during a press conference held by UTOPIA opponents.