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Adelanto directs staff to pursue grants to expand pilot Wi‑Fi deployment in parks
Summary
After a pilot deployment with Peltbeam, the council gave staff the green light to apply for time‑sensitive state and federal grants to expand solar‑powered wireless nodes and free public Wi‑Fi in disadvantaged neighborhoods, emphasizing digital equity and partnership funding.
Adelanto councilmembers on May 27 authorized staff to begin applying for grants to expand a pilot wireless public‑Wi‑Fi deployment, saying the first phase — deployed with Peltbeam at no cost to the general fund — demonstrated a model to close local digital‑divide gaps.
The pilot included solar‑powered nodes delivering public Wi‑Fi to city hall, public works, community and senior centers and nearby residential areas, the city manager said. A company video and technical representatives described the system as a point‑to‑point wireless network that can be deployed quickly without trenching or fiber costs. "This pilot represents an important step toward building scalable, future‑ready connectivity infrastructure for Adelanto," a Peltbeam presenter said.
Council discussion focused on prioritizing disadvantaged areas that match grant eligibility and on sponsorship/adopt‑a‑pole ideas to help long‑term funding. City staff said they have identified grant programs that prioritize the north end and disadvantaged community areas and will work with Peltbeam on mapping and grant applications. The council unanimously directed staff to proceed with grant applications and to return with reports on funding opportunities and proposed deployment phases.
