Atomic Fiber: Community Broadband Network

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Overview

Atomic Fiber is a County-owned, open-access fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network designed to improve internet access, reliability, and affordability for residents and businesses in Los Alamos and White Rock. When complete, the network will provide high-speed internet access to more than 10,000 homes and businesses and expand customer choice through multiple internet service providers. 

CBN Frequently Asked Questions 

Why Community Broadband

  • County-owned, locally controlled infrastructure
  • Open-access model encourages competition and affordable pricing
  • Reliable, redundant fiber network designed for long-term community needs

Project Manager

Community Broadband Manager Jerry Smith is tasked to provide community broadband as an essential public service that will enable reliable high-speed internet services throughout the county at competitive pricing.

Project Timeline (at a glance)

Design Phase (2025–2026)

  • High-level design approved: May 2025

  • Low-level design approved: January 2026

  • Material procurement underway: February 2026

Construction Phase (2026–2030)

  • Construction in eight phases across 47 distribution areas

  • Three network hubs (optical line terminals):

    • White Rock Fire Station 3

    • Los Alamos Municipal Building

    • Los Alamos Golf Course

  • Phase 1 construction anticipated: April 2026

  • First customers anticipated: Fall 2026

  • Full buildout estimated: 2029–2030

 

What to Expect in 2026

2026 is a transition year for the Community Broadband Network, moving the project from design into construction.

Residents can expect the following:

  • Early 2026: Procurement of materials to avoid supply-chain delays

  • Spring 2026: Construction begins on Phase 1 of the network (initial neighborhood locations to be announced)

  • Throughout 2026: Utility coordination, underground and overhead fiber installation, and continued community updates

  • Fall 2026: First customers anticipated to be service-ready in initial construction areas

Construction will occur in eight phases, and advance notice will be provided when work is scheduled in specific neighborhoods.

Process Design/Build/Operate

DESIGN: As of January 2026, the design is 100% complete.

BUILD: Construction will be completed in eight phases across 47 distribution areas with three network hubs (optical line terminals): 

  • Combination of underground and overhead fiber installation, using existing conduit, microtrenching and utility poles
  • Multiple construction crews working concurrently
  • Redundant routes built into the network for reliability
  • Estimated completion in 2029 or 2030.

OPERATE:  As each construction phase is completed and activated, the area will become operational. Residents and businesses in completed areas will be able to choose from a selection of participating internet service providers to purchase an internet service package or continue service with their existing provider.

 

Project History and Council Actions

This section documents important County Council actions and major project milestones.

2026

2025

  • Nov. 18: Council approved issuance of bonds for the construction of the Community Broadband Network and other capital projects

  • July–Sept.: Utility field work conducted by Bonfire and Hexad to assess poles and conduit routes for design

  • June 10: Phase 1 design underway; reuse of existing conduit confirmed; three network hubs identified

  • May 20: County Council approved the high-level design progress (view the agenda documentation and video of the meeting)

  • March–April: Kelly Cable crews assessed existing County-owned conduit in North Community and Western Area neighborhoods

2024

2023–2022 (Project Origins)

 

 

Key Points of the County/Bonfire Agreement

County-owned network

Bonfire is responsible for design, construction, and operation

Open-access Network supporting 4-6 ISPs (internet service provider)

Bonfire is a neutral operator and will not be one of the ISPs.

Once operations begin, Bonfire will be under a 5-year agreement, with options to renew for up to 20 years

 

Project Facts

  • 100% fiber-optic network with “symmetrical” service, meaning upload and download speeds will be the same
  • Initial service speeds will be available up to 10GB, with increases set to happen over a 20-year span
  • Competitive pricing built into the the operating agreement
  • Redundancy is part of the network design, providing backup internet source(s), therefore preventing service interruptions
  • Fiber is expected to be available at every residence and business by 2030
  • Funding for the construction portion of the project comes from New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax revenue bonds
  • Existing ISPs will continue to be available
  • To minimize internet outages like what Los Alamos experienced in recent years, the Community Broadband Network is being designed with several points of redundancy including automatic failover between two internet feeds.
  • Partnership with San Ildefonso Pueblo is also underway to provide a second, redundant middle-mile fiber connection between Pojoaque and White Rock to improve reliability and minimize the frequency, scope, and duration of outages.

 

Alignment with Council Goals

In the 2023 Strategic Leadership Plan adopted by the County Council, councilors identified high-speed community broadband is a priority to improve economic vitality of the County. This has remained a priority in the 2024 and most recently in the 2026 Strategic Leadership Plan.

 

Broadband 101

Common terms used in broadband planning include:

  • Last mile: The connection from the street to a home or business

  • Middle mile: The fiber connection bringing internet service into the County from outside providers

The Community Broadband Network addresses both last-mile and middle-mile needs to improve reliability and minimize the frequency, scope, and duration of outages like those experienced in recent years.

 

Updated February 03, 2026

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