The GRF Broadband Ad Hoc Committee, along with VMS staff and The Broadband Group (a leading telecommunications consulting firm), have been looking into some changes coming for television and internet services in Laguna Woods Village. This process began in 2019, and the committee has spent hundreds of hours researching the best television and internet options for our residents. The committee is exploring different ways these services can be delivered at the best price possible, including satellite, cellular, cable and fiber.
Here’s a quick rundown of the options:
- Satellite (like Starlink) is helpful in areas where cable and cell signals are weak or unavailable. However, it is on the pricier side and can have limited speeds with some delay (latency).
- Cellular home internet is a more budget-friendly choice where available; however, there are limitations on how many users can be near a single cell tower due to bandwidth constraints, which could impact reliability in busy areas.
- Cable, our current system, has been reliable for television and internet, but cable programming and electricity costs keep rising and cable equipment is no longer supported by the manufacturer. The committee has reviewed this carefully and is looking at new ways to bring better value and technology to the Village.
- Fiber currently offers speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps, and low latency, which means less lag when you stream videos, upload files or surf the web. Fiber is also highly reliable since it doesn’t depend on electrical equipment that may malfunction during power outages.
The Past: Coaxial Cable
The current hybrid cable system installed 25 years ago has served us well, but the time is now to replace the aging infrastructure. The equipment is at the end of life and the coaxial copper connections are oxidizing and failing, creating unreliable service and noise. Repairs and updates are no longer viable options. The cable system is on life support and cannot be sustained much longer before failures occur on a regular basis.
The Future: Fiber to the Premise
The most advanced solution on the table is fiber to the premise (FTTP), which would bring the fastest speeds possible—currently up to 10,000 Mbps—right to residents. Moving to fiber also allows us the ability to transition from traditional cable television to internet-based streaming services, which offers many more options at lower prices and more viewing choices. This approach would help keep our community up to date with technology, providing faster internet speeds, flexibility and value for every home in the community.
The Good News
The great thing about our current system is that we already have an additional, empty conduit path underground. This means adding new fiber all the way to your manor will be less intrusive, making it easier to bring faster speeds with the FTTP upgrade. The new system will use a passive optical network, which means there’s no active field equipment between the broadband building and the home, making it much more reliable and easier to maintain.
So, overall, it will be a smoother, more dependable connection right to your home!
More Information
Visit Village Television’s YouTube Channel and search “the future of broadband,” and watch “Tech Talk” with Debbie Dotson and the PC Club show with Gary Russell. You may also request important information included in the white paper “The Next Generation of Technology” by emailing the Broadband Services General Manager paul.ortiz@vmsinc.org.
To view previous coverage of this topic in “What’s Up in the Village,” click here.
Community outreach and education will be an important priority as this project progresses.
Please note: Village Television’s TV6 will continue to broadcast! Rest assured; your community television station is safe!
For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.
