Atomic Fiber Project

• 100% fiber-optic network with “symmetrical” service—identical upload and download speeds
• About half installed aerially on existing utility poles and half buried where aerial installation isn't feasible
• 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) to prevent 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
• 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.

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

Will the construction use existing infrastructure?

Yes. The County is leveraging existing conduits that were installed during the Cerro Grande fire reconstruction efforts in the burned area, and existing utility poles where possible. This significantly reduces construction costs and helps avoid delays due to difficult terrain.

Where is the work taking place?

All work occurs within utility easements or the public right-of-way, which are legal corridors that allow the installation and maintenance of utility infrastructure.

What kind of work will be done?

Various installation methods will take place to install the network across the County.

• Microtrenching: This is a fast, low-impact method where a narrow trench about 1.5” wide by 16” deep is cut into the road or sidewalk to contain small conduits that will later have fiber optic cables placed inside.
• Directional drilling (boring): This uses a machine to steer steel rods to create an underground hole so a conduit can be placed within the bored hole. This method requires only small entry and exit pits rather than a continuous open trench.
• Aerial installation: In areas with existing County Department of Public Utilities poles, a support wire is first attached to the poles, then fiber optic cable(s) are lashed to the support wire. The support wire and fiber will follow the same path as power or phone lines. Existing poles may be along roadways, and many utility poles are located in backyard utility easements.

What happens if a utility line is impacted during construction?

Call the Atomic Fiber Help Center at 505-206-5376 or Department of Public Utilities Customer Care Center at 505-662-8333.

Who do I contact if I see unsafe behavior from contractors or they are causing issues?

Call the customer service phone number at 505-206-5376.

Who is doing the construction work?

All contractors should have Atomic Fiber branding on their vehicles. That said, most contractors will also have their business name on vehicles and clothing. Americom is the main company contracting to build out the fiber network through the neighborhoods.

What time will construction take place?

Generally, construction crews will be onsite Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. However, some work may be scheduled on weekends to ensure timely completion of the project.

How do I know who is constructing Atomic Fiber?

All contractors working on the project will have Atomic Fiber logos affixed to their vehicles.

What kind of construction will be done?

Various installation methods will take place during the construction phase:

• Microtrenching: This is a fast, low-impact method where a narrow trench about 1.5” wide by 16” deep is cut into the road or sidewalk to contain small conduits that will later have fiber optic cables placed inside.
• Directional drilling (boring): This uses a machine to steer steel rods to create an underground hole so a conduit can be placed within the bored hole. This method requires only small entry and exit pits rather than a continuous open trench.
• Aerial installation: In areas with existing County Department of Public Utilities poles, a support wire is first attached to the poles, then fiber optic cable(s) are lashed to the support wire. The support wire and fiber will follow the same path as power or phone lines. Existing poles may be along roadways, and many utility poles are located in backyard utility easements.

How long will construction in front of each home last?

While the entire project is phased over approximately two years, work directly in front of a home typically takes place in two parts:

• Microtrenching and directional drilling: Installation of conduit lasts only a few days and the installation of the fiber optic cable within the conduit lasts only a couple days. There may be a lag between the placement of conduit and the installation of fiber cable within the conduit.
• Aerial installation: Workers will install the support wire first and then will come back to lash the fiber optic cable to the wire. As with microtrenching and directional drilling, there may be a lag between the support wire and cable lashing phases.

What are those colored flags and paint in front of my house?

Before conduit installation, steps are taken to protect existing utilities by notifying New Mexico 811, which is a state-mandated "Call Before You Dig" service in New Mexico that connects contractors with utility companies to mark underground lines. By calling 811 we ensure safe excavation and avoid damaging existing underground utility lines. The flags indicate the presence of underground lines (e.g., yellow to indicate the presence of existing gas lines, red for existing electric, orange for existing telecommunications).

Will my street be closed?

Most fiber work allows for "rolling" work zones that minimize traffic disruption, though temporary lane closures may occur.

Will access to my home be impacted?

There may be a slight impact during microtrenching with the conduit installation and backfill process, which may impact vehicle access to driveways for a couple hours). There will not be any impact during aerial or directional drilling activities.

Do you need to access my backyard to reach utility poles?

Yes. Some of the existing Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities poles are in backyards in utility easements. Access to these poles is necessary to complete the aerial installation of the fiber optic cables. This is why fielding crews conducted aerial fielding and data collection on these same utility poles in 2025. Notices will be delivered in person and/or via door hangers. Typically, workers will be on-site for 30-45 minutes per pole, depending on the complexity of the pole.

Do I need to be home during this work?

No for any work taking place in front of your house. If you have a utility pole in your backyard, as long as unobstructed access to the utility pole is available, the answer is also no. Please make sure any gates are unlocked on the scheduled day. If you have a utility pole in your backyard and need to reschedule access, contact the Atomic Fiber Help Center at 505-206-5376.

What does installation at the premise look like?

On-premise installation typically includes bringing a fiber optic line from the street or utility easement to your home or business, mounting a small exterior network interface device, and installing equipment inside the building such as an optical network terminal (ONT). The technician will also confirm the service is working before leaving.

Do I have to be home or at my business during installation at my premises?

Yes, in most cases someone age 18 or older should be present for the appointment. This allows the technician to access the necessary areas, confirm equipment placement, and test the service with you before completing the installation.

Will workers enter my home or interact with pets?

Yes. For installation appointments, technicians will need to access both the outside and inside of your home or business to install and activate service. This may include entering fenced areas where pets are present. For everyone’s safety, please secure pets and ensure technicians have safe access to the work areas. Our team will work with you to minimize disruption and complete the installation efficiently.

What will be installed on/in my property?

If you choose to sign up for service, installation will typically include a fiber cable inside a conduit connecting your property to the Atomic Fiber network, a small network interface device mounted outside your home or business, and an optical network terminal (ONT) installed inside to bring the service online. A residential gateway (RG), or router, will also be provided by your selected ISP. Our technician will work with you to place the equipment in a practical location and make sure everything is working before the installation is complete.

Do I need to mark my sprinkler system or invisible dog fence? What if you hit my sprinkler system or invisible dog fence?

Yes, you will need to mark these private lines with flags or paint, as public "locate" services (like 811) do not mark private lines. If a marked private line is accidentally damaged during our work, please contact the customer service phone number so the issue can be reviewed and addressed.

Will my driveway be cut?

No.

Will there be any damage or changes to my property?

We work to keep any impact to your property as minimal as possible. In most cases, installation is low-impact and any small areas that are disturbed (such as grass or soil) will be restored once work is complete. Our crews take care to leave your property in good condition.

How will you restore my grass?

Crews generally replace soil and sod or use seed and straw.

How do I know an issue I raised is being addressed?

Every issue is tracked from report to resolution to ensure high-quality resolution.

What is the goal for resolving any construction or restoration problems?

Our goal is to resolve all construction and restoration issues as safely and quickly as possible. Because issues vary in scope, subcontractors are held to a tiered response schedule:

• Safety Hazards: Addressed immediately upon notification.
• Property or Access Issues: Investigated within 24 hours, with temporary fixes or repairs initiated within 48 hours.
• Cosmetic Restoration (e.g., landscaping, concrete): Completed within 7 to 10 business days, subject to weather and seasonal constraints.

Will I have service one installation work is complete?

In most cases, yes—once the installation is finished and your selected ISP has activated your service, your connection should be ready to use. The technician will test the connection before leaving to make sure everything is working properly.

Will this increase my property value?

The Fiber Broadband Association conducted research in 2023 that found single-family-home values increased for neighborhoods with fiber optics as an option. The Wall Street Journal highlighted how homes with high-speed internet sell faster than those without it.

How do I select an Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Head over to AtomicFiber.net, our dedicated site for finding and selecting service. There are four ISPs available. If the network is not yet complete in your area, you can sign up to be notified. The benefit of using the open access marketplace is that you can compare prices and conditions between different suppliers. Choose the provider and service that suits you.

Why won't I have Atomic Fiber internet after the main network construction is completed?

Even after the main network is built in your neighborhood, each home or business still needs its own connection to the network. To start service, you’ll need to choose an Internet Service Provider (ISP) through the Atomic Fiber marketplace and schedule installation to bring the fiber connection to your property.

Will my current ISP be offering service on Atomic Fiber?

Only the ISPs listed on AtomicFiber.net will be providing service on Atomic Fiber. That said, your current service will not be affected by the addition of Atomic Fiber to the community.

Who do I contact if my service goes out? Will I be informed?

Contact your ISP. If it happens to be a network issue, use the contact information on AtomicFiber.net. If there is a known service outage, updates may be shared by your ISP, including available information about the cause of the outage and estimated restoration time.

As a renter, do I need to get my landlord's approval for installation? What if I lease my business space?

Yes. If you rent your home or lease your business space, you will typically need your landlord or property manager’s approval before any installation work can be completed, because equipment may need to be attached to the building and work may be required on the exterior and/or interior of the premises.

What if I don’t register my interest or get it installed during the construction?

You may still be able to request service later, but installation could take longer and may involve additional steps depending on the status of construction in your area. Registering interest early helps the project team plan installations efficiently and may make it easier to connect your property when service becomes available.

Who do I contact if my internet goes out? If I have issues with my hardware inside my home or business?

Please contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) first. Your ISP can help troubleshoot the issue and let you know whether the problem is related to your service, equipment, or the broader network.

Who do I contact with billing issues?

Contact your ISP directly.

What do I do when I am moving out of town?

If you are moving out of town, please contact your ISP to let them know when you would like your service disconnected and to ask about returning any equipment, if required.

Can I transfer my service if moving within Los Alamos County?

In many cases, yes. If you are moving within Los Alamos County, contact your ISP to check whether Atomic Fiber service is available at your new address and to arrange a transfer or new installation if needed.

How do I go about changing plans with the same ISP?

Contact your ISP directly.

How do I change ISPs?

Visit AtomicFiber.net to review providers and select a different one.

What happens if my ISP leaves Atomic Fiber?

If an ISP stops offering service on Atomic Fiber, you will still be able to choose from other providers available through the Atomic Fiber marketplace. You can review the available options and select a service that best fits your needs.

Common terms used in broadband planning include:

• Fiber optic: A type of technology that transmits data by sending light along thin glass fibers

• Fiber optic network: A network that transmits data by light through fiber optic cables. Fiber broadband (sometimes called fiber internet) is an internet service that is different from traditional cable internet, which transmits information by sending electricity over copper wires.

• Open-access network: Allows multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to use the same infrastructure to offer service. In other words, the network is separate from the service providers, allowing for greater competition, more choice, and potentially lower costs for consumers.

• 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.

Los Alamos County is partnering with the Pueblo of San Ildefonso to construct approximately 11 miles of new fiber infrastructure, known as the "middle mile." This connection will link the County’s network to regional internet backbones outside of Los Alamos, increasing overall capacity and improving performance. Importantly, it provides critical redundancy—if one fiber route goes down, internet service can continue through a second path. This helps ensure a more reliable, resilient broadband network for the entire community.