This episode of Discover Lafayette features Michael Soileau, Director of LFT Fiber (formerly LUS Fiber), and Scott Prather, Public Relations Manager for the community-owned fiber utility.

Together, they share the powerful story of how Lafayette’s local investment in fiber optics two decades ago has blossomed into a cutting-edge broadband network that now reaches into rural and underserved communities across South Louisiana. It also underscored Lafayette’s long-standing commitment to serving as a leader in our region, state, and nation in providing top-notch services to our citizens.

Michael Soileau, a Mamou native, reflects on how the expansion of LFT Fiber into Evangeline Parish—one of Louisiana’s most underserved and impoverished regions—feels personal. Thanks to strategic federal grants secured with the help of former Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Boulet during her time with Acadiana Planning Commission, LFT Fiber is fulfilling its mission to bridge the digital divide in rural communities.

Lafayette was one of the first cities in the country to build its own fiber optic network. What started as a utility communication system quickly evolved into a public broadband network. On June 16, LFT Fiber celebrates the 20th anniversary of the citizens’ vote to support this bold initiative.

Through federal funding programs such as the GUMBO grant, LFT Fiber has expanded into seven parishes: Evangeline, Iberia, Vermilion, St. Landry, Eunice, Jennings, and Acadia, focusing on homes that previously lacked access to true broadband. While they don’t yet serve 100% of these areas, the goal remains to connect as many people as possible.

LFT Fiber employs 94 local professionals and partners with Lafayette-based contractors for construction and installation. Community pride runs deep, and their mission extends beyond internet access—they support local nonprofits, events like Festival International, and schools through digital access and sponsorships.

Recognizing that not every household can afford premium internet, LFT Fiber recently launched Connection Essentials, a $25/month plan offering 60 Mbps service to families receiving federal assistance with a student in the home. The plan includes a modem and is currently being rolled out in Evangeline Parish, with expansion underway in Lafayette and beyond. The “Connection Essentials” plan provides internet speeds 60 Mbps download and 60 Mbps upload for $25 per month, with unlimited data usage and no overage fees. Customer premise equipment is included at no additional cost. A one-time installation fee of $49 will be charged at the time of service activation.

Everyday Pricing (“EDP”) has also been introduced at affordable rates offered at 1 GBPS for $85.00 per month or 500 MBPS for $65.00 per month. “A commitment to fair, consistent pricing with no gimmicks, no surprises, and no limited-time promotions that leave you guessing.”

Providing access is only part of the mission. LFT Fiber is actively partnering with school districts, library systems, and nonprofits to improve digital literacy, helping families understand how to safely and effectively use the internet for telemedicine, education, job searching, and more.

The recent Connectivity Summit, hosted by LFT Fiber on April 2, 2025, brought together business, nonprofit, healthcare, and education leaders to discuss shared challenges and foster partnerships. These summits help generate the kind of serendipitous, five-minute conversations that spark long-term innovation and community growth.

On the Connectivity Summit, Michael Soileau shared, “LFT Fiber’s Connective Summit was held to bring thought leaders, business, nonprofit, sports and culture all in the same room to talk about what’s going well, what are some of the challenges being experienced, what have you learned? Here’s what happens when you have those kinds of conversations with all these different people. You understand that there are probably the top 3 or 4 industries that are being impacting similarly, if not exactly the same, across all of those verticals. By collaborating, you can actually solve the issues a lot faster, create momentum, get that synergy going, and then move on. Walking out of that summit, I was so proud to have been a part of it, watching what happened that day, that sense of collaboration and willingness to share. People’s willingness to engage and to collaborate and to share and help each other figure things out. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we need a little help. We can’t do it all on our own.”

Lafayette has always been a forward-thinking hub, from early adoption of electricity in 1896 to establishing its own university and developing a fiber-optic infrastructure. As Scott Prather notes, “The road is underground now.” Fiber connectivity continues that legacy, connecting communities across Acadiana in new, invisible ways.

LFT Fiber continues to focus on economic development, education, arts and culture, and healthcare support—all while being community-owned and operated. Their efforts not only keep Lafayette connected but ensure that the broader region can thrive in today’s digital economy.

MIchael Soileau says, “LFT Fiber tries to always think about supporting the educational vertical. How do we help children not just bridge the digital divide, but have internet safety and digital literacy? We think about our arts and culture space, and that includes sports. How do we support them? How do we support the Ragin Cajuns in meaningful ways, not just writing a check, but participating. We think about children and well-being as a whole. And support for organizations that are just getting off their feet. How can we help them establish themselves?”

““I want people to take us for granted, and I don’t want them to take us for granted. I want people to take the service for granted because it’s that reliable. It’s that first class. I don’t want folks to take us for granted and forget the grassroots of this whole thing and that they have ownership in it, I want them to remember that and take pride in it,” says Scott Prather.