What is a Fiber Drop?
Placerville Fiber is bringing free fiber-optic infrastructure to every eligible home and business in the city of Placerville.
Fiber Drop Frequently Asked Questions
Your drop will be installed through an underground setup it is then secured neatly to the side of your home.
What is a fiber drop?
A fiber drop is a fiber optic cable installed from the street to the exterior of your home, right next to (or as close as possible to) your existing electrical utility line and meter. This is an industry-standard installation that connects your home to the Placerville Fiber network.
Does this cost me anything?
No. The exterior fiber drop (a $450 value) is installed at absolutely no cost or obligation to you.
Am I required to sign up for internet service?
No. The drop simply makes your home fiber-ready. There is no obligation to sign up for service.
What will the installation look like on my home?
The fiber cable is installed neatly and securely to the exterior of your home. See the diagram to understand what an underground drop (from an underground electric vault) looks like.
Will the installer need to come inside my home?
No. The fiber drop is an exterior-only installation. An indoor installation is only performed if you choose to sign up for internet service.
When will this happen?
The full project is expected to be rolled out by December 2026.
Can I request a specific installation method or location?
Sorry, we are unable to accept special installation requests. An industry-standard installation will be performed at your property.
Is this safe? What about construction in my neighborhood?
We prioritize the safety of our crews and the community. Our team follows stringent safety protocols, including using protective gear, clearly marking work zones, and thoroughly communicating potential hazards.
Is this available for businesses and commercial properties?
Yes. Placerville Fiber is being installed citywide and is available to eligible commercial properties — including retail storefronts, offices, restaurants, light industrial sites, and mixed-use buildings — at no installation cost. The exterior fiber drop process is the same as for residential properties.
I lease my commercial space. Can I still get a fiber drop?
The exterior fiber drop is installed at the building, so we'll coordinate with the property owner or landlord for installation authorization. If you lease your space, please share our information with your property owner — or have them contact us at fiber@cityofplacerville.org — so the drop can be installed. Once the building is fiber-ready, tenants can sign up for service independently.
Are there business-grade service options?
Yes. In addition to standard plans, Placerville Fiber offers business service tiers with higher upload speeds, symmetric bandwidth options, static IP availability, and business-class support.
Can installation be scheduled around my business hours?
Exterior installation typically does not disrupt business operations and does not require interior access. For properties where the work zone may affect customer access (e.g., a sidewalk-facing storefront), our crews coordinate with property owners to minimize impact. Interior installations (only if you sign up for service) are scheduled at a time that works for your business.
Safety First
We prioritize the safety of our crews and the Placerville community throughout every phase of installation.
Protective Gear
All installation crews wear full personal protective equipment on every job site.
Marked Work Zone
Work areas are clearly marked with signage and barriers so residents and traffic are always aware.
Hazard Communication
Potential hazards are identified and communicated to the crew before work begins at each property.
Stringent Protocols
Our installation teams follow industry-standard safety protocols from start to finish.