B) Fiber Connectivity
• The State of California and the federal government have data sets and maps to help identify areas in need of broadband services.
• The latest FCC Broadband Map shows coverage. In the Hillsborough boundary, there are approximately 1,600 units or 41.76% of units with limited 100 Mbps/20 Mbps broadband, which is the state standard for California.
• There western areas of Town have greater gaps in broadband access, as shown on the map (See Attachment 2, Slide 11). Source: https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home C) Deficiencies in Cellular Service in Town
• Town residents have experience deficiencies in wireless communication capabilities due to terrain.
• The Town relies on applications from the private industry to roll out new facilities. The FCC map shows cellular service coverage using propagation modeling – all providers must report data as of June 30 and December 31, each year.
• While the map shows 83.45% of Town covered for 5G service, there are certain areas with very poor service, as shown on the map (See Attachment 2, Slide 13) Source:
https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home
• Further, the website acknowledges that the public's actual service experience may differ, stating:
“Because the coverage map is based on propagation modeling, a user’s actual, on-theground experience may vary due to factors such as the end-user device used to connect to the network, cell site capacity, and terrain. The coverage maps on mobile wireless service providers’ websites may be based on different parameters and assumptions, such as service availability provided through roaming agreements, and therefore may differ from the information shown here.”
D) Power Backup Solutions
• In addition to access issues regarding wired or wireless telecommunication solutions, reliable power supply can be a related challenge.
• While the Town relies on PG&E for its electricity, there are solutions the Town could explore to help support residents in obtaining backup battery solutions, such as grant funded programs and public education campaigns.
E) Balance Town Aesthetics with Wireless Communication Facility Installation • The Town has existing policies and regulations related to Wireless Telecommunication Facilities. The Town could explore whether modifications to these documents that may encourage more deployments, though it may result in reduced control. • Currently the Town is part of a national coalition to oppose FCC proceedings seeking to reduce local authority related to wireless and broadband facilities. By joining these coalitions the Town demonstrates its opposition to these national efforts and also creates a record challenging the exaggerated claims made.
F) Alternative Technologies to Improve Connectivity
• New and emerging technologies in the private sector may change the landscape of existing wireless offerings that could be further evaluated.
-153-
Agenda Staff Report – Hillsborough City Council
January 12, 2026
• Satellite is another technology that is in a growth stage that is being adopted by companies like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile though it requires a large number of satellites to be in orbit and base stations on earth to be effective. Latency is another issue.
Following Council direction and feedback, staff will solicit industry experts to evaluate potential solutions to determine their feasibility based on (1) timeframe, (2) cost, and (3) compatibility with the Town’s existing infrastructure and landscape. Staff will also evaluate any legal/regulatory issues that arise with different potential solutions.
FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact is associated with this item based on the direction provided; staff will return with anticipated budget needs for the identified projects either as budget amendments or included in the proposed FY 2026-27 budget, depending on the desired timeline.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: The proposed action is exempt from environmental review under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines sections 15378(b)(2) and 15378(b)(5) as ongoing administrative or organizational activities that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. October 27, 2025 Community Meeting Summary
2. PowerPoint Presentation
PREPARED BY: Mandy Brown, Assistant City Manager
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss and provide direction to staff on which telecommunication-specific projects to evaluate in terms of pursuing next steps, including any specifications around timing and specific milestones or deliverables the City Council is seeking. -154-
Town of Hillsborough
Town Hall Meeting
October 27, 2025
Final
Report
-155-
ATTACHMENT 1
The Town of Hillsborough convened this meeting with the objective of beginning a community conversation about shared goals for telecommunications in Hillsborough. PCRC was invited to support this process by facilitating small-group conversations, both in-person and online - to ensure all participants had the opportunity to engage, reflect, and contribute their perspectives. In addition to guiding these discussions, PCRC compiled the key themes, questions, and insights shared by attendees and prepared this final report to support the Town’s next steps in the decision-making process.
Summary
-156-
Participants described their experience as:
○ Storm caused tree to fall into wires.
○ Used Fiber
○ Housing value exploded at Sea Ranch
i. Put $10k for fiber and money - $ homes exploded
○ When power is on, telecom is great
○ If you need wireless, it’s gotten worse in the last 5 years ○ Demand is higher, Supply hasn’t changed
○ Outside of house, relying on cellular is much worse
Community
Responses
Question:
What is your
experience?
-157-
Participants described their experience as:
○ Traveling offers spotty reception - there are places
everyone knows, known as “will drop”
○ Loss of power is a big issue
○ People are in Hillsborough using wifi, even if they don’t live here
○ Consumption on networks is greater and tech needs to
address it, but providers aren’t working in town
○ Using power is a big challenge
Community
Responses
Question:
What is your
experience?
-158-
Participants described their ideal vision:
○ Underground wires
○ 13 Towers more than 150 ft from homes
○ Economical factors should drive carriers
○ Being connected in every home
○ Create an incentive for permit fee & emergency power
solutions = benefits safety
○ No more macro towers
○ Resources of website to keep signal strong, especially w/ loss of power
Community
Responses
Question:
What is your ideal
vision of
telecommunication
services in town?
-159- -159-
Participants described their experience as:
○ When large groups congregate, wifi doesn't work well
○ Very bad even if on wifi: above Crocker - not great for emergency situations
○ Xfinity wifi in home doesn't work well either
○ “This is the only thing bad about living here”
Community
Responses
Question:
What is your
experience?
-160-
In the words of the participants:
○ “This is the only thing bad about living here”
○ “We pay high taxes, it’s nice here, but the worst cell service”
○ “We are living with the result of a single tower and cannot make a phone call at my house”
○ “This shouldn’t be too complicated” “and should be treated with urgency”
○ “It shouldn’t be this bad”
Community
Quotes
Question:
What is your
experience?
-161-
Participants described their ideal vision:
○ A resilient system in home
○ Have a home generator
○ Educations on options
○ School networks cover fields and expand around
neighborhoods
○ Public spaces should have well extended wifi
○ Esthetic should not be bad
Community
Responses
Question:
What is your ideal
vision of
telecommunication
services in town?
-162-
What Participants Want - Desired Future:
○ Options: Monopoly for carriers
○ Whatever the solution, take Hillsborough future into consideration ○ Consider the burden of residents
○ Limit looping
○ Resources to be added to website, especially when there is a loss of power ○ More focus on better wifi
○ Survey done of carriers
○ Get data
i. Measure signal service across town, youth commission can support public education - kids always have service
Desired Future
-163-
What Participants Want - Desired Future:
○ Burdens should be distributed
○ Preserving towns charter, including aesthetic
○ Invest in tech that will last (ie. satellite)
Desired Future
-164-
Repeated Throughout:
○ Quality of life is not great
○ Safety is an issue
○ Principals need to be established
○ Resources are needed
○ Action - let’s stop talking about it, and make a decision Common
Themes
-165-
Across the discussions, participants consistently emphasized several recurring themes:
quality of life concerns, safety challenges, the need for clear guiding principles, adequate resources, and a strong desire for decisive action rather than continued deliberation.
Participants described their ideal vision for telecommunications as one that prioritizes undergrounding wires; locating towers at least 150 feet from homes; ensuring every home has reliable connectivity; creating incentives related to permitting and emergency power; eliminating macro towers; exploring cost-effective solutions for carriers; and maintaining a consistent, strong signal, even during power outages.
Closing
Remarks
-166-
When sharing their current experiences, participants noted frequent service interruptions, especially in known “drop zones,” as well as significant challenges during power outages. Many rely heavily on Wi-Fi due to inconsistent cell coverage, and expressed concern that while demand for connectivity has increased, provider investment in the town has not kept pace.
Participants also offered specific examples illustrating these challenges, such as storm-related wire damage, difficulty maintaining service outdoors, and comparisons to communities where investment in fiber significantly increased home value. While telecommunications function well when power is stable, residents reported that wireless reliability has worsened over the past five years.
Together, these insights reflect a community that is ready to move toward clear decisions and aligned goals to improve telecommunications infrastructure, safety, and reliability in Hillsborough.
Closing
Remarks
-167-
Participants expressed excitement and gratitude for
the opportunity to come together, especially as some had not been part of the initial conversations. There is a clear sense of renewed hope, and community members
signaled that they are ready for meaningful change. It
was noted that the Town intends to hold a follow-up
meeting in January 2026, offering a continued space
for alignment and progress.
Next Steps
-168-
Telecommunications Next Steps:
Needs Assessment Scope
January 12, 2026
1 -169-
ATTACHMENT 2
2 Wireless Goal
Improved wireless
service has been a
Town goal for past
several years
Define goal
statement by
identifying areas of
focus
Further discussion
at Council Goal
Setting
Development of
work plan including
timelines and cost
-170-
Meeting Objective
Restarted the conversation about what our goals are for Telecommunications in Hillsborough and to talk about resident’s experiences.
3 October 27, 2025 Community Meeting
-171-
Meeting Summary
Facilitators Peninsula Conflict Resource Center provided a summary (see Attachment 1), with the main priorities listed below (not in any order):
• Prioritize undergrounding wires;
• Locate towers at least 150 feet from homes;
• Ensure every home has reliable connectivity;
• Create incentives related to permitting and emergency power; • Eliminate macro towers;
• Explore cost-effective solutions for carriers; and
• Maintain a consistent, strong signal, even during power outages 4 October 27, 2025 Community Meeting
-172-
Meeting Objective
Translate outcomes and input from October 2025 to identify full scope of needs and discuss prioritization.
• Review draft needs
• Provide input/modifications
• Affirm scope and discuss
5 Next Steps
-173-
6 Council Discussion & Feedback
Review Draft
Areas of Need
Affirm or
modify draft
needs
Discuss draft
prioritization
-174-
7 Draft Areas of Need
(A)
Undergrounding of
Utilities
(B) Fiber
Connectivity
(C) Deficiencies in
Cellular Service in
Town
(D) Power Backup
Solutions
(E) Balance Town
Aesthetics with
Wireless
Communication
Facility Installation
(F) Alternative
Technologies to
Improve
Connectivity
-175-
(A) Utilities Undergrounding
• Staff is working with an engineering consultant to determine the amount of properties without underground utilities as well as understanding the total cost to underground utilities to the remaining homes.
• The project is ongoing but preliminary data shows that the percentage of homes with underground utilities is 70%.
8 -176-
(A) Utilities Undergrounding
• Staff is working with an engineering consultant to determine the amount of properties without underground utilities as well as understanding the total cost to underground utilities to the remaining homes.
• The project is ongoing but preliminary data shows that the percentage of homes with underground utilities is 70%.
9 -177-
(B) Fiber Connectivity
• The State of California and the federal government have data sets and maps to help identify areas in need of broadband services. • The latest FCC Broadband Map shows coverage. In the Hillsborough boundary, there are approximately 1,600 units or 41.76% of units with limited 100 Mbps/20 Mbps broadband, which is the state standard for California.
• There western areas of Town have greater gaps in broadband access, as shown on the map (https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home).
10 -178-
(B) Fiber Connectivity
• The State of California and the federal government have data sets and maps to help identify areas in need of broadband services.
• The latest FCC Broadband Map shows coverage. In the
Hillsborough boundary, there are approximately 1,600 units or 41.76% of units with limited 100 Mbps/20 Mbps broadband, which is the state standard for California.
• There western areas of Town have greater gaps in broadband access, as shown on the map (https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home). 11 -179-
(C) Deficiencies in Cellular Service in Town
• Town residents have limited wireless communication capabilities due to terrain.
• The Town relies on applications from the private industry to roll out new facilities. The FCC map shows cellular service coverage using propagation modeling – all providers must report data as of June 30 and December 31, each year.
• While the map shows 83.45% of Town covered for 5G service, there are certain areas with very poor service, as shown on the map. • Further, the website acknowledges that the public's actual service experience may differ, stating:
“Because the coverage map is based on propagation modeling, a user’s actual, on-the-ground experience may vary due to factors such as the end-user device used to connect to the network, cell site capacity, and terrain.
The coverage maps on mobile wireless service providers’ websites may be based on different parameters and assumptions, such as service availability provided through roaming agreements, and therefore may differ from the information shown here.”
12 -180-
(C) Service Coverage Gaps for Cellular Service in
Town
• Town residents have limited wireless communication capabilities due to terrain. • The Town relies on applications from the private industry to roll out new facilities.
The FCC map shows cellular service coverage using propagation modeling – all providers must report data as of June 30 and December 31, each year. • While the map shows 83.45% of Town covered for 5G service, there are certain areas with very poor service, as shown on the map.
• Further, the website acknowledges that the public's actual service experience may differ, stating:
• “Because the coverage map is based on propagation modeling, a user’s actual, on-the-ground experience may vary due to factors such as the end-user device used to connect to the network, cell site capacity, and terrain. The coverage maps on mobile wireless service providers’ websites may be based on different parameters and assumptions, such as service availability provided through roaming agreements, and therefore may differ from the information shown here.” 13 -181-
(D) Power Backup Solutions
• In addition to access issues regarding wired or wireless telecommunication solutions, reliable power supply can be a related challenge.
• While the Town relies on PG&E for its electricity, there are solutions the Town could explore to help support residents in obtaining backup battery solutions such as grant funded programs and public education campaigns.
14 -182-
(E) Balance Town Aesthetics with Wireless
Communication Facility Installation
• The Town has existing policies and regulations related to Wireless Telecommunication Facilities. The Town could explore modifications to these documents that may encourage more deployments, though it may result in reduced control.
• Currently the Town is part of a national coalition to oppose FCC proceedings seeking to reduce local authority related to wireless and broadband facilities. By joining these coalitions the Town demonstrates its opposition to these national efforts and also creates a record challenging the exaggerated claims made.
15 -183-
(F) Alternative Technologies to Improve
Connectivity
• New and emerging technologies in the private sector may change the landscape of existing wireless offerings that could be further evaluated. • Satellite is another technology that is in a growth stage that is being adopted by companies like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile though it requires a large number of satellites to be in orbit and base stations on earth to be effective. Latency is another issue.
16 -184-
17 Draft Areas of Need
(A)
Undergrounding of
Utilities
(B) Fiber
Connectivity
(C) Deficiencies in
Cellular Service in
Town
(D) Power Backup
Solutions
(E) Balance Town
Aesthetics with
Wireless
Communication
Facility Installation
(F) Alternative
Technologies to
Improve
Connectivity
-185-
18 Council Discussion & Feedback
Review Draft
Areas of Need
Affirm or
modify draft
needs
Discuss draft
Following Council direction and feedback – staff will solicit industry experts to evaluate potential solutions to determine the (1) timeframe, (2) cost, and (3) compatibility with the Town’s existing infrastructure and landscape.
Staff will also evaluate any legal/regulatory issues that arise with different potential solutions. -186-
Discussion
19 -187-