City of Mesa, AZ, issues broadband RFI

Feb. 7, 2022

The City of Mesa, AZ, has issued a request for information (RFI) to in connection with a proposal to have an open access fiber to the premises (FTTP) broadband network built in the city.

Stephen Hardy

The City of Mesa, AZ, has issued a request for information (RFI) to in connection with a proposal to have an open access fiber to the premises (FTTP) broadband network built in the city. City leadership is looking for information on companies able to install and operate such a network, which the city expects to connect 264,000 premises and run 2,470 street miles.

The city says that internet access currently is “widespread,” with 75% of residents able to access fixed broadband services and plans underway to deploy WiFi and mobile broadband to 10 square miles of qualified census tract in west Mesa. However, 17% of residents, based on a recent survey, currently don’t have internet access, a shortcoming the city believes a new open access FTTP network would address. “Ideal bidders” would offer free or affordable high-speed internet service to qualifying households. Companies “interested in growing and investing in Mesa as new neighborhoods emerge across the City,” also would be favored, according to an announcement describing the RFI.

“In an increasingly virtual world, access to high-speed internet is a key to success for individuals, families and businesses,” commented Mesa Mayor John Giles. “I’m thrilled we’re taking this step toward bridging the digital divide, ultimately creating greater access to education, career, and social connection for all who call Mesa home.”

“Internet is essential for work and school, and the pandemic made it clear that those who lack connection are at a disadvantage,” said District 5 Councilmember and National League of Cities Information Technology and Communications Committee member David Luna. “Bringing fiber optics to all of Mesa will remove barriers and bring opportunities for all our residents.”

Responses to the RFI are due Tuesday, March 15 at 3 pm local Arizona Time. Mesa will host a pre-response conference on February 9. Details are available at https://vendor.mesaaz.gov/; reference proposal #2022117. For more information or to schedule interviews, interested parties may contact [email protected].

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.