Town staff updated the Town Council on Sept. 13 about a request for proposals (RFP) to produce an action plan for improved cellular and broadband coverage across Sunnyvale.

Engineering and communications staff said the RFP went live Oct. 1 and is scheduled to close on Friday, Nov. 7. The town plans to assemble a small staff evaluation committee, with consultant Cobb Finley participating, to score proposals using a 100‑point system. Staff said they will give an intermediate update at the Nov. 10 council meeting, complete evaluations by Nov. 21, and aim to present an award recommendation for council consideration at the Dec. 8 meeting.

Presenters said the scope is intentionally broad to allow proposals covering both broadband and cellular approaches; the RFP does not limit respondents to a single franchise or technology. Staff said they hope to attract proposals from fiber providers and wireless infrastructure firms and to explore public‑private partnership models. Sunnyvale ISD’s planned cell facility on school property will be coordinated with any town plans to avoid overlap.

Council members asked whether the RFP specifies a number of towers or whether respondents should recommend locations and counts. Staff replied that consultants should recommend optimal locations and that Cobb Finley will be available to assist the town with evaluation and selection. Staff estimated that tower construction timelines and permitting steps make precise operational dates uncertain, but said that, where towers can be placed on town‑owned property, the process could be faster and that some towers could be in place in 2026.

Staff said the committee may recommend working with multiple service providers rather than selecting a single winner, and that the town’s ultimate goal is to maximize coverage (staff described the aspirational goal as 100% coverage). The RFP process is open to major carriers and local providers and is intended to produce both feasibility and deployment recommendations.

Council requested an update on Nov. 10; staff confirmed they will report progress at that meeting.