Palo Alto Fiber

Project typeCapacity & Systems Improvements and Customer Connections
Project value$140-160M*
Contractor nameMagellan Advisors

*This an estimated cost range.

Project Description

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the immediate need of providing high-speed and reliable internet for our community to support work, education and learning, health care and delivery of government services.

Through the Palo Alto Fiber (Fiber to the Home/Premises) project, the City will provide broadband, high-speed internet services directly to your home or business. This includes high-speed data access to websites, television shows, videoconferencing, cloud services, or voice conversations accessed through a variety of technologies including personal computers, smartphones, tablets and other connected devices.

Planning is underway to align Palo Alto Fiber with electric grid modernization. Coupling these two efforts are anticipated to reduce community disruption in neighborhoods and capitalize on economies of scale. Read more about what's in store for Palo Alto Fiber in this community update.

Environmental Review

The City, acting as the lead agency, prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Declaration (MND) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act for the proposed Palo Alto Fiber project. The MND was circulated for public review for a 30-day comment period between May 1, 2024 and May 31, 2024.

Scope of Work (Phase 1 Build)

Perform an environmental analysis according to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Deploy an enhanced fiber backbone to support growing utility and City departmental needs for connectivity
Deploy a citywide fiber to the home network to reach homes, businesses, and institutions identified in Phase 1 Build of the project
Setup an Internet Service Provide (ISP) business to manage and support the network
Confirm compliance with the City's regulatory requirements of becoming an internet service provider
Activate customers within the Phase 1 Build deployment area

Project Status

Palo Alto Fiber Project Status

On December 19, 2022, City Council directed staff to proceed with the Fiber Rebuild project and Phase 1 Build of the Palo Alto Fiber project. Under this approach, fiber would be built out in selected areas of the City and expanded gradually to eliminate the need for debt financing. Areas in this phase are being identified based on resident interest from the internet survey and deposits submitted, geographical proximity to the fiber hut, and neighborhood alignment with the electrical grid modernization pilot to reduce overall costs and lessen construction and community disruption.

Building the fiber backbone and infrastructure to provide fiber broadband internet to the community will be a significant undertaking. While it is economically prudent to utilize available resources, the City must also strategically invest in external resources for a strong roll-out.

On May 1, 2023, City Council approved a contract amendment with Magellan Advisors (Magellan) for program management, organizational change management, network operations and technical support, and utility pole electric make-ready engineering.

Below is an overview of the Fiber Project status:

On November 7, 2023, staff shared an update with the Finance Committee on the Palo Alto Fiber Expansion Plan and construction alignment with Electric Grid Modernization.
Staff submitted an Informational Report to Council with their December 18, 2023 agenda packet on the construction approach to align Palo Alto Fiber with electric grid modernization.
On December 19, 2022, City Council approved moving forward with the Fiber Expansion project including to build Phase 1 of fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP).
On May 1, 2023, Council approved a new contract amendment with City’s telecommunication consultant Magellan to provide program management, network operations, and technical support for FTTP.
On May 3, 2023, staff recommended the Utilities Advisory Commission approve the FY 2024 Utilities Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets, including the adoption of the new Fiber-to-the-Premises “FTTP” Project, and the Electric Grid Modernization Project.
On September 6, 2023, staff updated the Utilities Advisory Commission on the fiber expansion plan and key areas being addressed, discussing the potential impacts to the scope of work.

Project Timeline

Phase 1 & 3 Design & Outreach (2020)

01/2020 - 12/2020
Broadband Planning and Initial Design
Phases 2 & 4 Design & Outreach
05/2021 - 05/2023
On May 24, 2021, the City Council directed staff to combine Phases 2 and 4.

PHASE 2 ITEMS
1. Engineering for the City’s expanded fiber backbone
2. Construction-ready plans for the City’s expanded fiber backbone
3. Presentations to the UAC and City Council
PHASE 4 ITEMS
1. Engineering for Palo Alto Fiber broadband network
2. Construction-ready plans for Palo Alto Fiber broadband network
3. Construction schedule for Palo Alto Fiber broadband network
4. Maximize community awareness of the fiber project
5. Conduct robust community education and outreach
6. Presentations to the UAC and City Council
BACKGROUND/WORK COMPLETED

On May 24, 2021, the City Council approved and directed staff to move into Phase 2, and to combine Phases 2 and 4.During this stage, the City conducted robust community education and outreach. An online community engagement hub was launched fall 2021, visit the Palo Alto Fiber Hub. Magellan kicked off the design process for backbone expansion and fiber to the home, and completed 30% design. Magellan moved into a constructability/fielding phase where the consultants will walk routes, check pole conditions and make sure routes are constructible. Learn more about the Utility Pole Surveying.
1. Design an enhanced fiber backbone to support growing utility and city departmental needs for connectivity.
2. Design a citywide fiber to the home network to reach 100% of homes, businesses and institutions.
3. Conduct community engagement to raise awareness of the Palo Alto Fiber project.
4. Conduct a citywide broadband survey of Palo Alto’s residents and businesses.
5. Perform a risk and mitigation analysis of the City becoming an internet service provider.
6. Assess the City’s regulatory requirements of becoming an internet service provider.
7. Assess and target opportunities for grant funding to contribute to construction of the network.
Phase 1 Build
06/2023 - 12/2025
On December 19, 2022, the City Council directed staff to perform the following.

First Phase of Network Deployment
1. Environmental analysis
2. Bid-ready construction drawings and bid package for fiber deployment
3. Permitting
4. Utility pole preparations
5. Equipment specifications and procurement
6. Broadband business setup
7. Network operations and technical support
8. Final network designs and documentation
9. Network construction
10. Customer activations

Join the Fiber Conversation

Learn more about how to become involved with the Palo Alto Fiber project, ways to connect with neighbors, and more on the Join the Fiber Conversation page.

Attend an Upcoming Meeting or Request a Staff Presentation

Email staff at fiber@cityofpaloalto.org to request a staff presentation and host a focus group.

Project Documents and Helpful Resources

Ambassador Toolkit(PDF, 3MB)
Project Fact Sheet(PDF, 2MB)
December 19, 2022 City Council Meeting(PDF, 265KB)
October 6, 2021 Utilities Advisory Commission (video)
May 24, 2021 City Council Meeting (video)
May 24, 2021 City Council Staff Report(PDF, 540KB)
April 21, 2021 Utility Advisory Commission Staff Report, Attachments and Presentation(PDF, 3MB)
Looking for Palo Alto’s commercial Dark Fiber Network Service? Go here.

Get Involved

Thanks to those who participated in the Palo Alto Fiber deposit program. The deposits were one measure of many used to design the fiber build out. Deposits are no longer being accepted. Submitted deposits will be applied as a credit to your first Palo Alto Fiber bill.

Other ways to get involved:

Sign up to receive project updates
Read blog updates
Download a fact sheet(PDF, 2MB) about the benefits of Palo Alto Fiber

Contact details

fiber@cityofpaloalto.org