City Approves Two New Licenses For Underground Fiber Optic Communication Systems

The Chandler City Council recently approved two new license agreements with companies to install, operate and maintain underground fiber optic communications systems in City right-of-ways.

An agreement with Gigapower was approved on Jan. 26, 2023 and an agreement with Google Fiber Arizona was approved on Feb. 9, 2023. These companies join Cox Communications, CenturyLink, Wyyerd Connect, and Orbitel Communications as residential fiber providers in Chandler, with services potentially being offered as early as late 2023 to early 2024.

The companies will construct fiber-to-the-home infrastructure throughout most Chandler neighborhoods, with plans to complete the work in the next five years. Underground fiber optics offer faster speeds than the copper cabling and older technology that was typically installed in most neighborhoods.

Mayor Kevin Hartke said, “Residents often think they only have one option when it comes to communication service providers. More agreements mean more options for residents, greater quality of service, and potentially lower cost options in the future. These new opportunities demonstrate how Chandler is working to meet our strategic goal of being the Most Connected City.”

The City is seeing more interest from companies to provide broadband services due to funding that was made available with opportunities like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, both offering government subsidies for broadband infrastructure improvements nationwide.

Companies that want to provide service in Chandler must go through an application process. The City of Chandler has high standards to ensure that companies have a proven track record and a commitment to completing the work.