City of Fresno, CA
Broadband Strategic Plan
Findings and Recommendations
Presented By:
Preston Young, Project Manager
Will Morat, Senior Broadband Consultant
November 17, 2022
Project Goals and Objectives
Improve connectivity across the City of Fresno
Support and improve digital inclusion
Improve municipal operations
Attract high-tech businesses for economic development
Attract and facilitate private investment
11/19/2022 City of Fresno Broadband Strategic Plan - 2 Key Findings
The city of Fresno has nearly 120 miles of conduit and fiber as part of the city network Fresno has incumbent internet providers that support the majority of the city Digital equity is a large issue in Fresno:
Financial struggles
Language issues
Access to devices
Understanding on how to use
Affordability
Privacy
Fresno qualifies for Local Agency Technology Assistance, LATA, Grant 11/19/2022 City of Fresno Broadband Strategic Plan - 3 City Owned Infrastructure
11/19/2022 City of Fresno Broadband Strategic Plan - 4 HLD and Cost Estimates
11/19/2022 City of Fresno Broadband Strategic Plan - 5 1. Connect city facilities
HLD and Cost Estimates
11/19/2022 City of Fresno Broadband Strategic Plan - 6 2. Supporting Underserved Areas
HLD and Cost Estimates
11/19/2022 City of Fresno Broadband Strategic Plan
7 3. South Central Fresno
HLD and Cost Estimates
11/19/2022 City of Fresno Broadband Strategic Plan - 8 4. Pilot Areas 1 and 2 – Economically Marginalized Areas Pilot Area 1
Pilot Area 2
Pilot Area Costing Estimation
11/19/2022 City of Fresno Broadband Strategic Plan - 9 LATA Grant Award
11/19/2022 City of Fresno Broadband Strategic Plan - 10 Project Summary
This proposed LATA grant will allow the City of Fresno to conduct a design engineering study of five in-need areas in Fresno. This work will take seven months. The work will involve continued public outreach and engagement. The end result will be a shovel-ready project that will bring high-speed broadband to un/underserved residents in the city, with buy-in from Fresno citizens.
Connecting Fresno: Technical Tasks for Last Mile Connectivity Grant Status
August 2022 – Awarded
$ 496,874
- 11
Recommendations (1-4)
City Broadband Oversight Committee. Form or designate a committee tasked with broadband advancement and decision-making powers including roles and responsibilities.
Apply & Secure Grant Funding For Phase 1, Pilot Area 1 & Pilot Area 2. Research and apply for state and federal grants to aid in the planning, design, and construction of fiber assets, particularly grants that target underserved areas and development zones.
Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA)
SB 156 Last Mile Grant Funding
Connect 10 City Sites Not Currently Served. The City identified 10 parks that currently have no broadband service; the High-Level Design in Section 6 proposes network expansion to connect these 10 sites into the City’s fiber network.
Establish a Data Center. Offer the space at 1555 Van Ness Avenue, including through the Golden State Network/Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, as a data center/colocation building for a Fresno connection point. 11/19/2022 City of Fresno Broadband Strategic Plan
- 12
Recommendations (5-7)
City Policies & Standards. Create workflows and city policies that aid and encourage broadband infrastructure development through dig once policies, updated construction standards, developer agreements and requirements, joint builds on CIP projects, and any other policy needed to further broadband.
Solicit and Nurture Partnerships. Continue partnership discussions with incumbents and local ISPs, creating a positive environment for unhindered broadband expansion.
Create a Formal Partnership with the County. Explore formal partnership structures with Fresno County, who is simultaneously undertaking their own broadband strategic planning process, including possibly establishing a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) that can act as a single lead in grant applications and coordination efforts. 11/19/2022 City of Fresno Broadband Strategic Plan
- 13
Council Direction and Feedback
Approve and adopt Broadband Strategic Plan
11/19/2022 City of Fresno Broadband Strategic Plan
QUESTIONS?