Fast Internet Coming to Rural Households Thanks to Nevada County’s Last Mile Program
Soon, hundreds of rural households in forested and mountainous neighborhoods like Blue Tent, Banner Mountain, and Donner Summit will have access to fast, reliable internet. This transformation is the result of over two decades of hard work by county staff, setting up the critical foundations necessary for success.
A map showcasing a large swath of properties stretches from Edwards Crossing on the South Yuba River to Harmony Ridge and Blue Tent.
“This is our big expansion into Nevada City,” said Devin Koch of Oasis Broadband, a locally-run company founded 21 years ago in Truckee. Koch started Oasis Broadband because he and his neighbors living on the side of a mountain couldn’t get service.
Oasis Broadband’s Groundbreaking Approach
Oasis Broadband is constructing the last mile of wireless networks in challenging terrain—rocky river canyons, hilly, forested landscapes, and alpine environments—using strategically placed antennas resembling miniature cell phone towers. Some of this work is only possible due to support from County programs.
On Tuesday, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved $778,426 as part of the third round of Last Mile Grants, aiding small local companies like Oasis Broadband to provide additional connections in rural regions of Nevada City, South County, and Donner Summit.
The Impact of County Initiatives
“Accessible and affordable broadband is essential for our economy, education system, and healthcare,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Heidi Hall. “We’ve worked diligently to prepare for federal and state funding, and our goal is to collaborate with local providers on these projects. Every additional household we connect is a win for our residents and economy.”
The Last Mile Grant program was the first of its kind in California, providing seed money that catalyzes success. It’s become a model for rural counties such as Napa and Placer, part of the County’s 20-year history of preparing to capitalize on state and federal incentives.
“This will be our third round, and hopefully we can continue doing it year after year,” said Steve Monaghan, former Director of Information and General Services for Nevada County. Monaghan, who retired in December, was instrumental in positioning Nevada County as a leader in broadband during his 25-year career.
County Support Beyond Grants
Beyond grants, County staff support local providers through advocacy and streamlined planning and environmental review processes, uniting stakeholders in the effort.
“County government has no regulatory or oversight authority over broadband, yet there is an expectation we will solve the broadband problem. We’re not a utility provider but are making it as attractive as possible. We’ve been working on this for 20 years. Now we’re just starting to see the money roll in,” said Monaghan.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Across rural California and Nevada County’s less populated areas, internet connectivity is often spotty. According to a 2023 survey, only 23 percent of residents rated the quality of their affordable high-speed internet as excellent or good.
Folks without fast internet suffer social impacts such as isolation and difficulty connecting to virtual medical appointments, staying informed, filing taxes, and maintaining connections with loved ones. They also face economic disadvantages, including limited telework opportunities and challenges for school-age children.
“Our whole society has moved to these online services,” said Monaghan.
Within the Sierra Nevada’s foothills and mountainous areas, different populations require specialized technology. Using point-to-multipoint architecture for customer connections, Oasis Broadband is delivering internet in tree-dense, snow-heavy zones like Blue Tent, Donner Summit, and Harmony Ridge, where cable internet is sparse.
Five years ago, Oasis Broadband received funding through the first round of Nevada County’s Last Mile Grants, bringing hundreds of broadband connections to the Prosser Dam area in Truckee. The company was the first to provide high-speed internet in most of Lake Tahoe, including Truckee, Olympic Valley, Lake Tahoe West Shore, Tahoe Vista, and Alpine Meadows.
