By ALLAN SAENZ
Owner
SALA Event Center and LANet

In Part 1 of my letter, I addressed the sudden proposal for the County to spend nearly $10 million on properties on Diamond Drive without adequate public input or transparency. Today, in Part 2, I focus on another significant item on the County Council’s agenda: the Community Broadband Project.

Unlike the unexpected property purchase, the Community Broadband Project has been in development for over 20 years, with substantial public support. As someone deeply invested in the future of connectivity in Los Alamos, I have actively supported this initiative. While I believe in the project’s vision, I have serious concerns about the process, transparency, and the future of LANet, our local Internet service provider.

A Brief History of LANet

Los Alamos Community Network (LANet) was established 27 years ago by entrepreneur Bill Cabral, who recognized the need for future-ready connectivity. Working with local citizens and developers, LANet laid conduit during construction projects in Quemazon, Hawks Landing, Downtown, and apartment complexes. This foundational investment allowed LANet to offer groundbreaking internet speeds of 56 kbps at $49 per month—an impressive speed at the time.

Sixteen years ago, I took ownership of LANet and have since expanded its reach, investing in conduit infrastructure and wireless technology to serve Los Alamos, White Rock, and Sierra Los Pinos. Today, LANet delivers 1 Gbps symmetrical fiber service, a remarkable advancement from its early days.

We remain committed to delivering better internet to the community and businesses with no contracts, no data caps, local support, and symmetrical speeds.

Why the Community Broadband Project Matters

The Community Broadband Project is essential for addressing key internet challenges in Los Alamos:

• Limited Fiber Access: Fiber is mostly limited to new developments, leaving much of the community reliant on outdated services that can’t meet the growing demand for faster, more reliable internet.
• Reliability Issues: The 2022 telecommunications outage revealed our infrastructure’s vulnerability, relying on a single line down the hill with no redundancy to safeguard essential services.
• Lack of Competition: Dominance by providers like Comcast and CenturyLink stifles competition, leading to higher prices, slower upgrades, and fewer options for residents and businesses.

Fiber: The Future of Connectivity

Fiber optics is the only technology capable of meeting current and future demands. Its unmatched speed and reliability are crucial for education, healthcare, remote work, security, and economic growth. While wireless has expanded access, it cannot match fiber’s scalability and performance. Investing in a robust fiber network will help Los Alamos build a more resilient, connected community.

Concerns About Transparency and Local Involvement

Despite LANet’s longstanding support, we’ve recently faced poor communication and vague responses from the County regarding the project. Even County Council members were informed only days before the upcoming vote. Our offers to collaborate—leveraging our existing infrastructure to reduce costs, expedite deployment, and save taxpayer dollars—have been overlooked.

The selected contractor, Bonfire, did not reach out to us for a Letter of Interest, despite the RFP requiring such letters from ISPs. We provided one to another bidder who demonstrated a more business-minded approach. This lack of engagement reflects a concerning disinterest in involving local businesses, which is also evident in the agreed contracts.

The pricing model presented remains unclear, and I’ve received no answers on how local providers like LANet can participate or compete within this framework. Furthermore, the contracts and project details were only released on Saturday, leaving little time for proper review before Tuesday’s vote. Public input is crucial to ensure the proposal and contracts align with community needs.

A Call for Transparency and Collaboration

I support the principles of the Community Broadband Project and commend the efforts of Jerry Smith, the Community Broadband Manager. However, for this project to succeed, it must be implemented with transparency, public input, and genuine collaboration, especially considering its impact on local businesses.

I urge the County Council to:

• Delay the Vote: Postpone approving the broadband agreements until there has been proper community input and thorough consideration of local businesses’ contributions.
• Engage with Local Providers: Direct staff to work with LANet and other local ISPs to explore cost-saving measures and integration of existing infrastructure.
• Incorporate Public Input on Contracts: Share the full details of the contractor’s proposals and contracts with the community before final approval.
• Evaluate Community Impact: Assess how the project will affect existing providers and ensure it benefits all residents without harming local businesses.

Closing Thoughts

Fiber optics and transparency are not just important—they are essential needs for Los Alamos. This broadband project has the potential to significantly enhance connectivity, benefiting residents and businesses alike. It’s a vital investment in our community’s future. However, to realize its full potential, it must be implemented transparently, inclusively, and with the trust of the people it is meant to serve.

We are closer than ever to making this vision a reality, and it’s crucial that we get it right. Unlike the rushed property purchase, this broadband initiative has been years in the making and embodies the best interests of our community. By prioritizing both fiber optics and transparency, we can ensure Los Alamos moves forward into a more connected and collaborative future.

Please join the County Council meeting (6 p.m. today, Nov. 19). Participate via Zoom or submit your comments. Let’s ensure our voices are heard and that this important project moves forward in a way that truly benefits Los Alamos.