The RFP was issued as part of CityLinkLA, an initiative intended to ensure that Los Angeles is among the most connected cities worldwide. The RFP received unanimous approval from Los Angeles City Council.
The city is seeking proposals for networks that deliver symmetrical speeds of 1 Gbps or higher and at prices comparable to similar services offered in other cities with gigabit service, such as Chattanooga, TN, and Austin, TX. Additionally, proposers are asked to provide a level of free access to the Internet via wireline and wireless services, and services to targeted communities.
Components of the RFP include streamlined permit processes for major telecommunications projects as well as identification and development of bulk rate prices for assets owned by the city and other agencies that could be used to speed deployment of broadband infrastructure. This includes storm water drainage systems, street lights, and DWP's existing fiber network. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles have also identified property that could be used to deploy infrastructure, and Metro is offering to lease excess capacity on its own fiber network. Due to the size of the city of Los Angeles, for the purposes of the RFP the city has been divided into four quadrants, and proposers may bid on one or more quadrants.
A mandatory proposers' conference will be held on July 16. Responses to the RFP are due to City Hall on Nov. 12. The RFP is expected to be finalized and available to potential proposers no later than June 23.