Broadband Master Plan

The City of Palm Desert recognized that the recent pandemic has underscored the significant impact that lack of internet access has on communities. In today's world, broadband is no longer a luxury used solely for video-on-demand and streaming services. It is now an essential component for residents to work, access medical treatment, and enable children to learn. Moreover, reliable broadband is a critical factor for businesses considering relocation to our city.

Understanding the vital role of broadband in all phases of life, Palm Desert has long included the development of a broadband master plan in our strategic vision. We aim to take proactive control of our broadband future to serve our residents better and attract new businesses with robust and meaningful broadband access.

City staff have voiced concerns about the challenges faced by Palm Desert’s businesses and residents regarding broadband availability, capacity, and investment. To address these challenges, we are leveraging regional planning and investment efforts to create a series of prioritized programs designed to have maximum impact. Our comprehensive strategy will utilize various technologies to close the broadband gap, ensuring that our community remains connected and competitive in the digital age.

Overview of Completed Tasks

• Resident & Business Survey
• Market Assessment
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Asset Inventory
• Establish Community Broadband Vision

Current Broadband Network

Resident & Business Survey

In late 2022 and through the first half of 2023, the City of Palm Desert conducted a survey to gather feedback from residents and businesses regarding the current state of broadband services. We appreciate the time and effort you took to share your thoughts and experiences. Your responses have been invaluable in helping us understand the connectivity needs of our community. Here are the key findings from the survey:

Key Findings of Our Broadband Survey

• Major Broadband Concerns: Availability, speed, cost, security, reliability, expandability, resiliency, and redundancy.
• Internet as Essential Infrastructure: Internet is considered essential public infrastructure, comparable to electricity, water, and transportation.
• Economic Development: Improved broadband services are vital for economic development.
• Cellular Coverage: Decent in most parts of the city, but lacking along Highway 111 and in the southern areas.
• Public Wi-Fi: Currently unavailable in downtown business areas or outdoor recreation spaces.
• Broadband Service Providers: Insufficient competition to meet the needs of residents and businesses.
• Unserved and Underserved Communities: Low- and fixed-income communities need improved, affordable broadband services.
• City's Role: Strong sentiment from the council, residents, and businesses that the City should facilitate better broadband.

These insights are crucial as we work towards enhancing broadband services in Palm Desert. Your feedback helps us identify areas of greatest need, the importance of next-generation high-speed broadband for economic development, and more. It also assists us in finding potential Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to partner with and securing funding opportunities for new initiatives.

Next Steps

The City of Palm Desert's Economic Development Department is working with our consultant HR Green to draft an request for proposals (RFP), which will be posted in the next several weeks. A review of proposals will occur in quarter four, 2024. Upgraded broadband networks should start in mid-2025.

Continue to Provide Feedback

If you have questions about this project or would like to contribute locations where broadband is needed in Palm Desert, please use the tools at the bottom of this page. Staff will respond to questions as soon as possible.