Title
Staff Report for Presentation from Common Networks and Discussion about Residential Broadband Service in San Leandro
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In September 2018, the City Council unanimously adopted the Fiber Optic Master Plan and Smart City Strategy. As part of this comprehensive report, the City conducted a survey of residents on their broadband usage and desires. Over 1,800 residents responded to the broadband survey, with responses coming from all neighborhoods and districts within the City. Staff recommends discussing fiber optic and infrastructure plans related to future residential Internet service in the City, including hearing a proposal from Common Networks ("Common"), a wireless Internet Service Provider ("ISP"), interested in expanding its service to San Leandro.
BACKGROUND
The City of San Leandro has established a robust broadband infrastructure through its conduit system and public-private partnership with San Leandro Dark Fiber (known as "Lit San Leandro"). The internet services delivered through this broadband network have served as a competitive tool for economic development, connecting over 350 businesses to gigabit-class high-speed internet service, providing an advantage for businesses that need such service. The City has also invested in public Wi-Fi, which now serves all City facilities and many parks and outdoor spaces.
However, generally speaking, those internet services have not been available to residential homes. This is understandable given that the high cost of constructing a fiber-to-the-home network has historically made it economically infeasible to serve the residential market. Nonetheless, there is strong support among San Leandro residents for more broadband service alternatives.
The City has infrastructure, including fiber-optic cables, conduit, and rooftop space that are well suited to support the construction of broadband networks. Thus, a discussion about future plans to utilize this infrastru...
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