The Town Council of the Town of Sahuarita voted to approve a wire telecommunications license and right-of-way use agreement with Ripple Fiber Arizona LLC, clearing the way for the company to begin permitting and build a fiber Internet network in the town.

Noelle Delala, director of government affairs for Ripple Fiber, told the council the company plans “to be part of the communities that we enter into and support you guys throughout the life of the project.” She said the company’s consumer packages include a “half gig for $65 a month” and “1 and 2 gig for $85 and $95 a month” and that the 1- and 2-gig plans are offered at a “price for life.”

Delala described the construction approach proposed for Sahuarita as “boring primarily,” meaning crews would drill in the softscape inside the public right-of-way rather than use microtrenching along road surfaces. She said some aerial deployment may be used where appropriate and that the company will mark underground irrigation and utility lines, run locates, and follow construction with a dedicated restoration crew the company calls a “green team” to match sod and restore landscaping.

Ripple representatives said the company will build in sectors and connect customers as each sector is completed rather than waiting for a full-town buildout. A company representative said a typical construction timeline from start to finish is about two years, though that can vary by permitting and engineering timelines.

Council members asked about coordination with homeowners associations, construction impacts and how Ripple decides which neighborhoods to build first; Delala said Ripple has a separate team for HOA engagement and will work with the town on permitting and notification, including mailings, postcards and door hangers before construction in a neighborhood.

The council motion to approve the license and right-of-way agreement carried following a voice vote; no roll-call tally was given in the transcript.

Funding and regulatory items related to the project were not part of the council vote and were not discussed in detail during the meeting.