Mesa OKs deal with Google Fiber, 3 others to expand high-speed internet access

PHOENIX – Mesa took another step toward closing its digital-access gap, approving licensing agreements with a handful of high-speed internet providers, including Google Fiber.

The Mesa City Council voted Monday to work with Google, SiFi, Ubiquity and Wyyerd to install fiber optic networks within the public right-of-way.

The East Valley city will become the first in Arizona to offer Google Fiber.

“Reliable high-speed internet is not a luxury – it’s an essential utility like water or electricity. In the way the world operates today, no one can afford to be disconnected,” Mayor John Giles said in a press release.

Google said it planned to begin construction early next year.

It’s official — we’re coming to Mesa, AZ! 🌵

Thank you to the Mayor, Council members, and staff for your vote of confidence. We’re rolling up our sleeves and plan to begin construction by early next year.

Sign up for updates 👇https://t.co/FdeCIE0wt9

— Google Fiber (@googlefiber) July 12, 2022

Cox Communications and Lumen/Century Link already supply broadband internet service in the city.

Mesa said a survey showed 75% of residents have some form of landline broadband connection while 8% rely on their cellphone data to connect online.

Mesa sent out a national Requests for Information early this year to companies and by April began discussions with the companies that responded, the city said in public documents.

New Jersey-based SiFi described its $400 million project as “infrastructure … like no other,” in a press release Tuesday.

Plans are for all the cables to be buried using microtrenching, a less disruptive method of digging deep and narrow cuts into streets.

“It’s been a priority to increase connectivity throughout the city. I am proud of the many initiatives and innovative internet access solutions Mesa is implementing to propel the city into the future,” Giles said.

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