Blue fiber optic cable. Image via Pixabay

On Wednesday, unWired Broadband, a Valley-based high-speed internet service provider, began construction on its state-of-the-art NextGen Fiber internet network in Coalinga, aiming to provide nearly 5,000 addresses with high-speed internet access.

The $11 million project is expected to be completed in October, with the first neighborhoods set to receive high-speed broadband as early as April.

The project will deliver internet speeds of up to 1 Gbps and higher to the entire city.

Founded in Fresno in 2003, unWired Broadband operates a fixed wireless internet network over more than 200 towers in 16 counties in California, with two towers already serving the Coalinga area.

The addition of NextGen Fiber technology will increase speed and reliability to the network.

Additionally, unWired offers multi-family residents the option to design a custom plan tailored specifically to their needs.

“Our community is looking forward to reliable high-speed Internet. Something we in Coalinga have not had before,” said Coalinga City Councilman Lonnie Hedgecock. “NextGen Fiber will open opportunities for business expansion in Coalinga and we are looking forward to a better future.” 

Many rural regions in and around the Valley have seen vast growth over the last several years; last year, Comcast invested $3.6 million in Caruthers broadband services through Comcast, and in summer of 2022, Madera-based Ponderosa Communications Inc. secured a $6.4 million grant from the USDA to upgrade its existing copper-wire network into a fiber-optic one.

Fiber-optic wire has become a mainstay in advanced, high-speed network development for a number of reasons including its ability to support higher bandwidth capabilities, as well as providing coverage over a longer distance – at a lower cost.

“It has several advantages over copper cables that make optical fibre [fibre] cables the preferred choice for most entities,” an blog from UK-based manufacturer Norden Communications reads. “Discussing the benefits with fibre optic cable manufacturers will help ascertain factors that play in favour of the same.”

unWired said that it is thrilled to help close the digital divide in Coalinga, a community that has never had access to cable or fiber internet.

“We know that we’re not just increasing bandwidth, we’re creating long-term economic opportunities that will benefit residents and businesses for years to come,” said Peter Sorensen, CEO of unWired Broadband. “unWired is proud to be part of building a brighter, more prosperous Coalinga.”