LUSFiber
| File:LFT Fiber Logo.svg | |
| Formerly | LUS Fiber |
|---|---|
| Company type | Municipally Owned (subsidiary of Lafayette Utilities System) |
| Industry | FTTH, Telecommunications |
| Founded | Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S. 2004 |
| Headquarters | Lafayette , United States |
Area served | Lafayette, Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Saint Landry, Vermillion Parishes |
Key people | Michael D. Soileau |
| Services | Cable television, Broadband Internet, Telephone |
| Owner | Lafayette Utilities System |
| Website | http://lftfiber.com/ |
"LFT Fiber" operates as a municipally owned branch under the Lafayette Utilities System umbrella, providing cable TV, high-speed Internet, and telephone services within Lafayette, Louisiana. It holds the distinction of being Louisiana’s pioneering municipal Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) provider and ranks among the earliest such entities nationwide.
History
During the late 1990s, Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) transitioned its substation communication from microwave links to fiber optic cables. By 2002, excess fiber capacity was leveraged to supply wholesale connectivity to area hospitals, universities, and the Lafayette Parish School System.
Although initially opposing municipal telecom competition while campaigning in 2003, Joey Durel later advocated for a citywide FTTH project after private companies showed reluctance to expand services. In 2004, LUS introduced plans for a municipal fiber network delivering broadband Internet, cable television, and telephony. Community surveys revealed robust backing—70% of households and 80% of businesses expressed support.
Competing providers BellSouth (now AT&T) and Cox influenced legislation leading to the 2004 Local Government Fair Competition Act (LGFCA), which imposed regulatory conditions on municipal telecom initiatives. In compliance with LGFCA mandates, LUS performed a feasibility analysis; subsequently, the city council authorized bond issuances without holding a public referendum. This decision triggered petitions and legal challenges from citizen groups and incumbent operators disputing procedural adherence.
Following a series of court proceedings addressing bond sales and LGFCA compliance—including decisions by district and appellate courts—the Louisiana State Supreme Court ultimately permitted Lafayette to proceed with bond financing. A public vote in July 2005 ratified the fiber network project with 62% approval versus 38% opposition. The referendum campaign saw substantial financial support from pro-municipal advocates compared to limited expenditures by existing providers.
Construction commenced in 2008 after bonds were issued in 2007; commercial service began in early 2009. In 2025, the entity rebranded from LUS Fiber to LFT Fiber to better represent its evolving market identity.