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County says Clear Networks plans Down Valley fiber; T-Mobile 5G now available near Placerville
Summary
County staff said Clear Networks is planning a fiber loop that would use county conduit to bring fiber down the valley; staff also noted a T-Mobile 5G site on the local hill is now providing improved residential service.
County staff told the Placerville listening session they have been working with Clear Networks on a plan to extend fiber into Down Valley by using existing county conduit installed during a CDOT lane-widening project.
Staff said the planned Clear Networks route would loop fiber from Telluride and tie back into Norwood via Iron Springs; the company has sought county development-permit guidance and is pursuing federal funds to build out the network. The county said it will provide use of its conduit to facilitate deployment.
Staff also noted commercial providers Lumen (formerly CenturyLink) are phasing out older equipment in places and that many residents are already using Starlink. A resident noted that a T-Mobile tower at the top of the nearby hill is now operating residential 5G service, which staff confirmed had improved local mobile broadband options.
County staff said they are coordinating with regional partners and the emergency telephone authority to encourage other major carriers to add equipment on local towers to improve coverage on State Highway 62 and in the canyon.
