We are excited to announce that Trico Electric Cooperative is taking an important step toward providing high-speed, affordable fiber internet service to you, our Members. Trico is launching a Member-Driven Fiber Internet Program to determine if Trico will start offering high-speed fiber-to-the-home internet service.
Our Member-Driven Fiber Program is simple. We are launching a program where Members can pre-subscribe to purchase fiber internet service from Trico. If enough Members pre‑subscribe, we will launch a new program called Trico Fiber and bring fast, affordable, and reliable fiber internet to your home!
Please visit fiber.trico.coop, www.trico.coop or Trico SmartHub to:
- Pre-subscribe and choose a fiber internet package that works for you
- Track the pre-subscriptions in your neighborhood
- Learn how you can encourage your neighbors and friends to pre-subscribe
- Get more details on how the Member-Driven Fiber Internet Program will work
For 80 years Trico has been guided by its Members, and we are always looking for ways to better serve the needs of our community. When we surveyed our Members about fiber internet, 7 in 10 Members strongly agreed that Trico offering high-speed internet service would be a benefit to the community. We agree and we think we can bring cooperative values and excellent service to fiber internet!
From humble beginnings in 1945, to now serving over 50,000 Members, we are honored to have played a role in helping the communities we serve to grow, develop and thrive. From the start Trico employees have focused on providing exceptional service, and we have innovated to provide cost-effective, reliable energy solutions. One of the biggest reasons for Trico’s success is the fact our employees live, work, volunteer, and raise their families in the communities we serve. When you are serving your neighbors, families and friends, it is easy to be dedicated to great service.
We see fiber internet not just as a technology, but as a transformational step forward that will empower our communities for generations to come—just as electricity did all those years ago! We ask you to pre-subscribe and help all of us at Trico build a better internet, together. Thank you for being a Trico Member!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is Trico considering offering fiber internet service?
Today, fast and reliable internet service is as important to education, healthcare, community connection, and economic growth as electricity. Trico sees fiber internet as a way to serve, connect, and empower communities throughout Southern Arizona.
Trico has asked its Members and there is strong demand for reliable, affordable fiber internet that comes with Trico’s excellent service. Surveys and focus groups were conducted and there was strong support for offering fiber internet. About 5,000 Members registered their interest in fiber internet. As a cooperative we respond to our Members’ needs and our focus is on serving our local community.
What is the Member-Driven Fiber Internet Program?
Trico is using a pre-subscription model to determine whether to offer fiber-to-the-home internet service, where to offer that service, and when to start offering service. This puts the power in our Members’ hands to help guide Trico’s next steps.
Trico has split its service territory into about 170 zones. Each zone contains around 300 Members. Trico calculated a target “take-rate” in each zone that is based on the number of Members in the zone who would need to pre-subscribe to make building the required fiber-to-the-home system and offering internet service financially viable. As a cooperative we are not focused on making a profit, but we need to make sure any build is financially sound.
Trico will proceed with offering fiber internet services if two targets are met:
- Achieve the required take-rate in a sufficient number of zones where the total number of homes passed (passings) in those zones adds up to at least 10,000; and
- At least 30% of the zones that achieve their take-rate must be high-density zones.
When will fiber internet be available?
Depending on if and when the targets to proceed described in the Member-Driven Fiber Program are met, fiber-to-the-home internet service could begin as early as Summer 2026 in some areas.
The order of construction will not match exactly with the order that zones meet their take-rate. However, a zone that achieves its take-rate within the first 10,000 homes passed will be planned to be included in the first 12 months of Trico’s build.
What does pre-subscribing mean?
It means you are confirming to Trico that you want to receive fiber internet service if and when it becomes available. While there is no financial commitment required, we hope that you will stick with Trico through this process and subscribe for service when we hit the targets to proceed.
You can pre-subscribe online at:
- fiber.trico.coop or www.trico.coop
- Or through the SmartHub app
Pre-subscription is free. There’s no deposit required.
If Trico does offer fiber internet service, how much will it cost?
We are developing pricing and packages designed to meet our Members’ need for reliable and affordable internet combined with excellent Trico service. Packages will include:
- “Streamers and Students” – A 1Gb package at around $70 per month
- “Families and Gamers” – A 2Gb package at around $85 per month
- “Business” – An 8Gb package at around $145 per month
The price will include the equipment necessary to connect to the internet.
For more information, visit our website www.trico.coop.
