2023-0619 - Fiber Optic Network Public-Private Partnership

The City of Ukiah is seeking one or more qualified private parties to enter into a public-private partnership with the City to expand business and residential broadband access using a planned carrier-grade, redundant backbone ring City fiber network and the state middle-mile network (Golden State Net) along U.S. Highway 101.  The planned 11+ mile backbone for the fiber optic network is predominantly located on the City’s utility poles. This planned network and the City’s existing power utility poles will allow the private partner to build laterals and service drops to business and residential subscribers.
The partnership will increase the availability of affordable broadband Internet access and market competition throughout the City. The private internet service provider will operate, manage, and sell retail internet services over the publicly owned fiber optic backbone network in exchange for lease payments, revenue share, match contributions for grant applications, or new City network construction (or a combination thereof).  The City intends to work with the private partner in developing comprehensive and competitive federal and state grant applications.