"For Utah Interlinx to take the business chance that they did, to invest all that time and money on a wing and a prayer to make this come together, was a gutsy decision. Their actions have resolved 98 percent of the telecommunications redundancy challenge that we faced in Washington County."
When the need for a redundant fiber optic system was identified for Southern Utah, a private information company known as Utah Interlinx stepped in to fill that need.
Prior to the advent of Utah Interlinx, a fiber optic system known as the Utah backbone system and built by U.S. West (and presently owned by Qwest) ran from Logan to St. George following the I-15 corridor was the only telecommunications route.
"It was a very good system but if there is an interruption along that line, you are out of service because there is no other way to route the system," said Scott Hirschi, director, Washington County Economic Development Council. "911 service, Internet, long distance and even mobile lines could be down if the line is cut as has happened in the past."
The council identified that issue as a critical economic development shortfall that existed with the local telecommunication infrastructure and began a campaign to persuade providers to install a redundant line.
That is when Kay Traveler, Lowry Snow, Gene Morris, Warren Stringham and Chris Chandler created Utah Interlinx and went about getting the proper permits, easements, financing and business agreements necessary to connect into an existing long-haul fiber optic system near Gunlock, Hirschi said.
Gene Morris said the company worked with St. George City, Santa Clara City, the Shivwits Indian Reservation, the Bureau of Land Management, Washington County and the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve to acquire the rights of way for the redundant fiber optic line.
Not only did Interlinx bring in a fully redundant fiber optic network, but they have built fiber further into the commercial business area and residential community providing a competitive network to increase the quality of services and offer attractive pricing. One business that would not have come to the area without the redundant fiber optic line is AllConnect, Kay Traveler said.
Traveler said he and the other partners were prompted to pursue the redundant fiber optic line at the time he was attempting to build a high tech business park called the Tonaquint Center on Dixie Drive.
"When we started the business park, we found we couldn’t attract any high tech businesses until the fiber optic redundant line was brought into the area," Traveler said.
Utah Interlinx was formed in September 2003 and now, in addition to providing a redundant system, the network is capable of carrying virtually unlimited amounts of voice, data and video services to businesses and residences within a 30-mile region.
"This (redundant) service gives a huge piece of mind to companies," adds Morris. "Without redundancy, companies wouldn’t come to St. George because they don’t want to take that kind of economic risk."
"They can have a Qwest line and a Utah Interlinx line," agrees Hirschi, "and if either one is out of service, the businesses can direct their lines to the working service and there is automated equipment that will do that in a blink of an eye."
"The thing I’m impressed with, adds Hirshi, "is Utah Interlinx had the courage to go up against one of the largest corporations in the Intermountain West. They were willing to take that chance and go for it. For those guys to take the business chance that they did, to invest all that time and money on a wing and a prayer to make this come together was a gutsy decision. Their actions have resolved 98 percent of the redundancy challenge that we faced in Washington County."
Scott Hirschi, Director Washington County Economic Development Council 
