About the Project |
| Why is the City installing Municipal Broadband? The City of Fort Bragg is installing locally owned broadband to provide reliable, affordable, and future-ready internet service for residents and businesses. In 2025, the City purchased Mendocino Community Network (MCN), making broadband a public service operated locally for the benefit of the community. Municipal broadband gives the community local control over critical infrastructure, improves reliability and speed, supports economic development and remote work, enhances public services and emergency response, and helps promote digital equity so more residents have access to essential internet services. While construction has caused temporary disruptions, this project is a long-term investment—like roads or water systems—designed to serve Fort Bragg for decades to come. |
| Why invest in municipal broadband when private providers already exist? Private internet providers invest where it makes financial sense for them. In smaller and rural communities like Fort Bragg, that can mean limited upgrades, higher prices, and less local accountability. Municipal broadband gives Fort Bragg local control over essential infrastructure, ensures long-term reliability and affordability, and puts community needs ahead of profit. It also encourages competition, helping improve service and stabilize prices across the market. This investment is about choice, resilience, and control of our digital future—so Fort Bragg isn’t dependent on decisions made far outside our community. |
| How do I sign up for municipal broadband? Residents and businesses can sign up for service through Mendocino Community Network (MCN), the City of Fort Bragg’s broadband provider. As fiber construction is completed in each area, MCN will notify customers when service becomes available and provide instructions on how to sign up or transition existing service. Sign-up information, service availability, and updates will be posted here: https://www.mcn.org/signup/ |
| Who provides this service? MCN provides broadband service as a service of the City of Fort Bragg. |
| When can I be connected? Service availability will roll out neighborhood by neighborhood as construction is completed starting this summer. MCN will notify residents when their area is ready to schedule installation. |
General Service Questions |
| Will this replace my current MCN service? Yes. The new fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network will replace Open Air and Fusion broadband services, providing faster speeds, improved reliability, and greater long-term capacity. |
| Does the fiber service include television service? No. The City of Fort Bragg broadband service does not include cable or broadcast television channels. However, fiber internet supports a wide range of streaming TV services that can be accessed using a smart TV, streaming device, or computer. Popular options include live TV and on-demand services offered by third-party providers. These services are subscribed to and billed separately by the customer. High-speed fiber internet is well suited for streaming, including multiple TVs streaming simultaneously and high-definition or 4K content. |
| What speeds and prices are available? MCN will offer the following fiber service tiers:
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Which speed is right for me?
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Installation & Construction |
| I do not currently have internet. Will you install a connection box inside or outside my home? The fiber connection will terminate inside the home using a Calix Gigaspire modem with a built-in Optical Network Terminal (ONT). This device provides both fiber termination and Wi-Fi. |
| Will you drill through my wall to connect me? In most cases, yes. A small hole is typically drilled through an exterior wall to bring the fiber inside. Installers will work with you to choose a reasonable entry point. For brick or masonry homes, specialized drilling techniques are used to minimize impact. |
| Can I tell the installer where to place the drop line? Yes. Installers will consult with you on routing and placement where feasible, provided it meets engineering, safety, and code requirements. |
Will you dig up my yard, driveway, or sidewalk?
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| Is there an installation fee? There is no installation fee for up to 150 feet of drop fiber from the distribution point to the home. |
| Will a permit be required? Yes. A permit is required for installation of the fiber drop. |
Equipment & Power |
| What equipment will be installed? Each connected home receives a Calix Gigaspire fiber modem, which includes:
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| Do I need my own Wi-Fi router? No. Wi-Fi is included with the Gigaspire modem. |
| What happens during a power outage? Fiber itself does not require power, but the modem inside your home does. During a power outage, service will stop unless you provide your own battery backup or generator. |
Property, Records & Responsibility |
| Will MCN or the City keep records of where my drop is located? Yes. Drop locations are recorded in the City’s VETRO FiberMap system for future reference and utility locating. |
| Can I build a driveway or ADU over my drop line? Yes, but you should plan carefully. If construction will impact the fiber path, relocation or conduit installation may be required at the property owner’s expense. Always request a utility locate before digging by call 8-1-1. |
| How will drop lines be marked? Drop lines include detectable tracer wire, allowing utility locators to identify their location before digging. |
| If I am a renter, can I request service? Yes, but property owner authorization is required, as installation involves permanent infrastructure. |
Renters, ADUs & Future Use |
| I plan to build an ADU. Should I request two connections now? A single fiber can be split at an exterior wall or inside a structured wiring box to serve multiple units. Additional connections can be added later if needed. |
| I plan to split my parcel in the future. Can you serve the new parcel? In most cases, yes. New drops can be installed to newly created parcels, subject to permitting and standard installation policies. |
Apartments & Multi-Unit Buildings |
| I live in a second-floor apartment. Can I be connected? Yes. Each unit is served individually. Fiber is buried to the building and may be run up an exterior wall or split inside, depending on building layout. |
| Do apartments require owner approval? Yes. Installation in multi-unit buildings requires coordination and approval from the property owner or manager. |
Environmental & Reliability Concerns |
| My yard floods in winter. Will that damage the fiber? No. Fiber optic cable is designed for underground use and is not affected by standing water or saturated soil. |