Planning agrees optic hub in Ridgecrest
Strengthened access to broader bandwidth is underway for Ridgecrest. In its meeting Tuesday, the Planning Commission approved a site plan review for the California Broadband Cooperative (CBC) to install its fiber optic hub in Ridgecrest.
CBC intends to install and operate an unmanned fiber optic node at 1320 McLean Street in the Ridgecrest Business Park that will serve as a regeneration facility and distribution point for fiber optic services within the city.
City Planner Matthew Alexander said that the improvements will essentially allow Ridgecrest to enter into the 21st century.
“It’s about 12 to 13 years late but it’s getting here nonetheless,” Alexander said.
Commissioner Jim Sanders added: “Ridgecrest is definitely in need of more bandwidth at a higher speed.”
Michael Flynn with CBC said that Ridgecrest is one of 12 node sites that the company needs approval from this summer, plus the 585-miles of fiber underground.
He said that construction for the optic node in Ridgecrest would begin fairly quickly, with an expected start in the next two months. He said that the scope of the entire Digital 395 project is expected to undergo construction during 2012 but he expects that environmental regulations will hinder that from occurring, pushing the end date into 2013.