Local news- Press Release
Mesa Public Library Arizona - Mesa City Council Takes Landmark Vote to Bring High Speed Internet Access to Every Premise in the City 12 July 2022 ( news )
Mesa Public Library , state Arizona ( By Press Release office)
Jul 12,2022
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Mesa City Council has approved license agreements with Google Fiber , SiFi , Ubiquity and Wyyerd , allowing for more high - speed internet options to bridge the digital divide . The agreements outline the process for the new providers to install their fiber optic network facilities within the City’s rights of way . It has long been a priority of the City to bring additional network connectivity to all 264 thousand city premises and 2 , 470 street miles – especially since the pandemic heightened the need for fast , reliable and affordable internet service .
“Reliable high - speed internet is not a luxury – it’s an essential utility like water or electricity . In the way the world operates today , no one can afford to be disconnected , ” said Mayor John Giles . “These partnerships are bringing us closer to our goals of getting fiber to every home and business , increasing affordable connectivity for residents and future - proofing our city . ”
Mesa already has widespread connectivity through Cox and Lumen . According to a City of Mesa household survey , 75% of Mesa residents currently have some form of landline broadband connection . An additional 8% of Mesa residents rely on their cell phone data to get online . Wanting to ensure that every Mesa resident and business has the opportunity to connect to the latest in internet technology , earlier this year , under Council guidance , Mesa sent out a national Request For Information ( RFI ) to learn more about companies that can install and operate fiber networks across Mesa . The agreements approved by Mesa City Council are the result of the robust response generated by the RFI .
“Those who lack connectivity are at a disadvantage . I am proud to have voted to bring more internet options to more places in Mesa and help remove connectivity barriers in our City , ” said District 5 Councilmember and National League of Cities Information Technology and Communications Committee member David Luna . “A connected city is a thriving city and fiber optic is the gold standard for high - speed internet . ”
Mesa has long been a champion of innovation and widespread connectivity . In addition to bringing fiber , the City has started expanding the current WiFi network in downtown to cover an additional nine square miles , City parks , pools and libraries . Mesa is also deploying a Citizen Broadband Radio System ( CBRS ) network in underserved areas of the City .
“It ' s been a priority to increase connectivity throughout the City . I am proud of the many initiatives and innovative internet access solutions Mesa is implementing to propel the City into the future , ” added Mayor Giles .
The vote by Councilmembers authorizes Google Fiber , SiFi , Ubiquity and Wyyerd to begin the permitting process with the City of Mesa . For more information or to schedule interviews , please contact Ana Pereira at 480 . 644 . 2069 or ana . pereira@mesaaz . gov
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