Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) Program

This page is established to help provide updates on our progress.

The City of Tucson is establishing a new Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) licensing program. The FTTP license and program will enable third party businesses to build, own, and operate high quality, high speed, reliable, and affordable fiber-optic internet services that will be available to all residents, businesses, and community anchor institutions in Tucson, Arizona.

***NEWS*** 

Status Update 9/3/2025:

The FTTP Program team thanks the broadband community for its thoughtful and detailed feedback on the draft License and Right-of-Way (ROW) Agreement template. Over the past several weeks, we carefully reviewed every submission received through the Feedback Form. Your comments highlighted both areas of clarity that were needed, and opportunities to better align the agreement with best practices from across the industry while maintaining Tucson’s program goals of universal coverage, equity, and strong public protections. 

Based on this input, the City has updated the draft agreement in several important ways. The table below summarizes the key changes from the first draft to the current version: 

Next Steps 

The updated template agreement will be brought forward for Mayor and Council consideration at their September 9th meeting. If approved, this template will serve as the standard License and ROW Agreement governing Internet Service Providers and other infrastructure providers who apply to deploy fiber-to-the-premises within Tucson. Any party interested in reviewing the latest version of the agreement is invited to request a copy by emailing gofiber@tucsonaz.gov. 

Following Council approval: 

We again thank the broadband community for its collaboration and feedback in shaping this agreement. Your participation has been instrumental in ensuring the program is ready to move forward. 

Status Update 7/25/2025: Frequently Asked Questions for the FTTP Program are now published, and will be updated regularly as questions and feedback come in.

FAQ Document: View Here(PDF, 59KB)

Status Update 7/24/2025: Thank you to those who joined the FTTP Overview meeting which occurred on July 23rd. Please see below for the slides and a recording of the meeting for reference:

Slides: FTTP Program Overview 7.23.25(PDF, 1MB)

Meeting Recording: Watch Here

Status Update 7/17/2025: Notice to Interested Parties: Request for Feedback on Draft License and Right-of-Way Agreement template 

As part of the City of Tucson’s Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) Program, the City has developed a draft License and Right-of-Way Agreement template to support the expansion of high-speed fiber broadband infrastructure throughout the community. The intent of this agreement is to provide a clear, consistent, and streamlined process for ISPs to access the public right-of-way in order to build and operate fiber networks.  

This agreement is designed to lower barriers to entry, promote private sector investment, and align with the City’s broader goal of ensuring every home and business in Tucson has access to fast, reliable, and affordable internet service. 

We are now seeking input from interested parties on this draft. Any party interested in reviewing the agreement is invited to request a copy by emailing gofiber@tucsonaz.gov. Please note that this is not a request or invitation for proposals; the formal agreement process will commence after approval of this template by Mayor and Council. This is only a solicitation of feedback.

All feedback must be submitted by August 1, 2025. 

Status Update 6/9/2025:  The City of Tucson has officially launched the next phase of its Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) Program to expand high-speed broadband access Citywide. The City aims to establish a streamlined licensing and right-of-way process that encourages multiple internet service providers to participate, fostering competition and improving service quality. 

To lead this initiative, the City has contracted and onboarded Bonfire Infrastructure Group as a consulting partner. With Bonfire’s support, the City will engage in the following order of operations: 

For Tucson residents, a public-facing geospatial dashboard that tracks construction progress and neighborhood impacts is under development. This dashboard will provide the public with accessibility to a construction schedule by neighborhood, and a view of which providers may be available at your home. A “Dig Once” policy will help minimize disruptions by coordinating fiber deployment with other infrastructure projects.  

Status Update 10/30/2024:  Arizona Commerce Authority's  Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program - Pima County Regional Letter of Support Request Process

Pima County has developed a website (<pima.gov/3385/Broadband-Equity-Access-and-Deployment-B>) and is working with the City of Tucson, and Towns of Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita on a streamlined process for providing BEAD Letters of Support to companies planning to submit applications to the Arizona Commerce Authority for BEAD funding.  A letter of support request form is available on the Pima County's web site.  Subject matter experts from local municipalities and Pima County departments will review requests, making recommendations for the issuance of letters.

Arizona’s BEAD Program is the largest broadband investment in state’s history with the principal objective of universal broadband access for all.

Background

Over the past year, the City of Tucson has explored numerous business models and means to achieve our objective of 100% fiber coverage to all premises, with heavy attention to ensure an equitable rollout to all homes. There is more to accomplish before the program is ready to launch.

On June 26, 2024, a meeting was held to share the program goals, status, and to request questions and ideas from attendees.  Materials from that meeting include:

• Presentation slides(PDF, 3MB);
• A video of the in-person, also offered as a MS Teams virtual meeting; 
• [Still active] form to submit questions and thoughts, AND to sign up for future email updates; and,
• An email dated June 18, 2024(PDF, 1MB) with information and early FAQs in advance of the meeting.

On August 21, 2024, the City of Tucson published a Request for Proposals 250027 from experienced firms to set up, oversee, coordinate, and manage this FTTP Program.  RFP 250027 closed on September 25, 2024.  Bonfire Infrastructure Group was awarded the contract on March 13, 2025.

NOTE:  This RFP is for companies that will work with City of Tucson staff to develop and implement the FTTP Program.  Proposals to build infrastructure in City Rights of Way will not meet the requirements of this solicitation.  

The solicitation - City of Tucson 250027 Development and Implementation of Tucson's Fiber to the Premises Program - can be found under 'pending' projects in OpenGov at Procurement Portal (opengov.com).   If you are a registered vendor with the City of Tucson, you can log in to OpenGov to access it.  

Questions can be submitted to:  Nora Corral, Senior Contract Officer   Nora.Corral@tucsonaz.gov

Please continue to check this page for new information.