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Race Communications outlines privately funded citywide fiber plan for Atwater, aims for 10,000 homes
Summary
Jim Miller of Race Communications told the council the company will privately fund a fiber-optic network aiming to reach roughly 95% of Atwater (about 10,000 homes), with construction expected to last about 12 months and include both aerial and underground work. He said crews will notify residents by mail and door-hangings and that the company will restore streets and sidewalks.
Jim Miller, a representative of Race Communications, told the Atwater City Council the company plans a privately funded fiber-optic build that it expects to reach about 95% of homes in the city — an estimated 10,000 households — and to take roughly 12 months to complete.
"Fiber is a product that can take a city for 50 to 100 years," Miller said, characterizing the investment as "generational" and explaining that capacity upgrades can be made by changing electronics at each end of the line rather than replacing the cable. He said Race already holds an aerial permit issued by the city and plans to begin underground construction late in the first quarter.
Miller outlined consumer pricing and options offered by Race: a basic plan starting at about $35 per month, a gigabit tier at about $70 per month, and a 10-gig package introduced in other markets. He said phone service is available as an add-on and that there are no installation fees or long-term contracts required at order.
Councilmember Kalisa asked whether Race crews would dig in private front or back yards to install service. Miller said Race follows existing utility easements and that most work is street-side; backyard work is limited to properties where utilities or pole locations require access. "As a utility company we have the right to be in any public utility easement," he said, adding that crews will identify themselves with badges and marked trucks and that the company uses direct mailers and door hangers two hours before work begins.
Miller said Race uses trenching, boring, and microtrench techniques and emphasized the company's practice of restoring sidewalks and roadways. He also said Race will locate a project manager on site to track and respond to resident concerns through an online construction form that allows photo uploads.
The presentation prompted questions from council members about past contractor problems and about whether Race would fully repave disturbed areas. Miller said Race intends to repair sidewalks and pavement to their pre-construction condition and noted the company intends to remain a long-term operator in the community.
Why it matters: the project would add redundancy and higher-capacity connections to the city's communications infrastructure and may affect residents during construction. City staff and Race indicated they will continue permitting coordination and resident outreach as construction proceeds.
