Indio, California, Starts the Process of Building Its Own Broadband Network

The city of Indio (CA) is planning to build its own fiber-based broadband network. In late October of 2021, the city launched its Fiber Master Plan project, with a goal of ascertaining whether the quality of life and real-world functionality of residents and businesses would be improved if the city could help provide them with high-quality, affordable and consistent broadband access. Kevin Snyder, Indio’s director of community development, is awaiting the results of a survey of Indio’s residents and businesses. “I would say that there are probably two major objectives,” Snyder said. “One is that fiber has become very important to the economic development of communities. So, in many ways, it’s become as important to economic development as having water services or good roads. … The other is the social activity aspect. During the pandemic, those communities that, as a whole, did not have good broadband access were challenged in (providing) access to the internet, and the services on the internet, whether it was for schooling, for business purposes, or for access to health information." Indio’s leadership intends for the city to be the first in the Coachella Valley to establish a secure broadband future for its population.