Ting Internet Citywide Fiber-to-the-Home Project

Fiber Cable Wire

To meet the increasing demand for additional options for high-speed home internet service, the City has approved Ting Internet to build a citywide fiber-to-the-home network which will expand high-speed internet service options to all City residents.  The project is funded by Ting and will not use any tax dollars. Ting will reimburse the City for any of the City’s costs associated with the project. In addition to doing its own construction, the City is leasing to Ting part of the Culver Connect Municipal Fiber Network to serve as the backbone for Ting’s network.

Construction and parking complaints or questions?

Please contact Jason Dowty at Ting at culverconstruction@ting.com or call (424) 392-6572. If Jason is unable to address your question or concern, then please contact the Culver City Public Works Engineering Division at (310) 253-5600.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the City approve the Ting project?

The Ting project will provide the choice of gigabit internet and an additional choice of internet service provider to every household in Culver City. The City anticipates that additional competition will result in better internet at lower cost and with better customer service for everyone, no matter your internet provider. Ting is also providing additional benefits such as free wi-fi at Culver City Park , free internet for Culver City non-profit organizations, and discounted internet for affordable housing residents.

What about the Culver Connect Municipal Fiber Network? Didn’t the City already build a citywide fiber network?

The City completed construction of the Culver Connect Municipal Fiber Network in 2018. Culver Connect was designed and built as an economic development engine to serve businesses, the Culver City Unified School District, and the City for its municipal purposes. The Culver Connect network “backbone” passes through most of the business districts of the City. However, Culver Connect does not extend into residential neighborhoods or all parts of the City, so it cannot currently be used to service all residents with high-speed internet access. Ting is using Culver Connect as a starting point and extending its own network from Culver Connect to individual houses and multi-family buildings, as well as businesses.

Why doesn’t the City build its own residential fiber network?

Cost, speed, and risk. Other cities are spending tens of millions of public dollars and spending years and years of time to build-out fiber-to-the-home. Conversely, the Ting project is generating City revenue (through the lease of City fiber assets by Ting) and costing no public dollars to get the same benefit on a faster timeline. Ting is reimbursing the City for the cost of City staff time and consultants to review and monitor the project. Plus, Ting assumes all risks related to the project (cost overruns, liability, ongoing maintenance, damages, etc).

How is the City helping Ting provide Internet to Culver City affordable housing units?

As approved by City Council on June 28, 2021, the City will contribute a portion of the cost for Ting to connect 317 Culver City affordable housing units to its network, at a total expected cost of $250,000. Internet service providers such as Ting are typically reimbursed by customers over time through their monthly bill for the initial cost of running fiber from the street into the house or building. In this case, the residents of affordable housing will pay nothing for the ongoing internet service for three years, and the City will pay part of the affordable housing residents’ connection fees. In return for the City’s contribution, Ting will provide at least three years of free service to these affordable housing units.

Are there any disadvantages to the Ting project?

The City has attempted to mitigate downsides to the project as much as possible through standards, procedures, and agreements with Ting. The City continues to work with Ting to revise and improve these standards and procedures, as the project continues to improve the experience for residents and businesses. However, despite everyone’s best efforts there are some unavoidable project impacts. There are temporary problems such as construction noise and parking disruptions. The City has attempted to mitigate these through standards and processes with Ting. There are aesthetic impacts of permanent placement of some infrastructure in the public right-of-way, as well as the microtrenched areas along the edge of the street. The City has worked with Ting to mitigate these issues as well, such as by implementing color-matching in the paving materials and ensuring that Ting is responsible for permanent, long-term upkeep of their trenched areas. Overall, the City believes that the advantages of all residents having another choice for high-speed home internet outweigh these disadvantages.

Did Ting purchase Culver Connect, the City’s Municipal Fiber Network?

No. Ting is a Culver Connect customer that leases a portion of the Culver Connect infrastructure network. Ting is also building its own fiber network in the public right-of-way (i.e. City streets and medians) that will be connected to its leased portions of the Culver Connect network.

Is Ting operating the Culver Connect, the City’s Municipal Fiber network?

No. Onward is the City’s Culver Connect operator. Onward is also the City’s internet service provider partner and provides internet service to businesses and residents. Onward provides internet service entirely using Culver Connect, unlike Ting which also operates its own private network that it has built off Culver Connect.

Will the City provide internet service with or share revenues with Ting?

No. Ting will operate its own private network like other internet service providers who operate in the public right-of-way.

How will the City reduce Ting's impact on parking during the project?

The City has stressed to Ting that they must not impact parking any more than absolutely necessary, and have been working with Ting to improve its performance in this area as work progresses through the entire City. The City has required Ting to notify residents of parking impacts two weeks in advance via a mailed flier, and a second time the week prior to the parking impacts with a doorhanger notice on each affected property. No parking signs/cones are required to be posted 48 hours in advance, and ahead of the weekend if work is to take place early in the week.

Why did Ting post "no parking" signs but then I didn't see any construction taking place?

Ting is using a ground penetrating radar machine to check for any underground conflicts with the planned work before it begins work in the street. The GPR machine, as it is called, is about the size a lawnmower, doesn’t make any noise, and its work is quickly completed as it simply needs to be walked up and down the street, directly where cars are typically parked.  For this reason, Ting needs to post for no parking.  However, it doesn't take long for the GPR machine to pass, and that part of the work can easily be missed by those expecting large construction equipment. To allow the GPR work, the no-parking period may last 1-2 days because Ting isn't certain of when the GPR machine will be on any particular street segment. However, after completing the GPR pass, Ting is removing the no parking signs, to allow cars to resume parking.  Sometimes, Ting may not remove the orange cones, but may simply update the no-parking signs to indicate the future no-parking dates for other parts of the project.

The other frequent explanation for why a street appears to be posted for no parking but no work is being done is that large areas may be posted with orange cones for no parking, but different sub-areas are posted with different dates for different ranges of days.

There are instances where Ting has scheduled work and has had to reschedule for one reason or another. If you have questions about why your specific block was posted for no parking without seeing any work being done, please contact Jason Dowty at Ting at culverconstruction@ting.com or call (424) 392-6572. If Jason is unable to address your question or concern, then please contact the Culver City Public Works Engineering Division at (310) 253-5600.

How can I get additional Information about Ting's construction timeline and methods?

For more information about Ting's construction schedule and information about the impacts and methods used to install the network, please reference the Guide to Ting's Construction, provided by Ting.

How can I report concerns or get additional questions answered about the Ting project?

The best and fastest way for residents to resolve complaints, concerns, or questions about the Ting project is to contact Jason Dowty at Ting at culverconstruction@ting.com or call (424) 392-6572. If Jason is unable to address your question or concern, then residents should contact Culver City Public Works Engineering Division at (310) 253-5600.