Petition from Residents of Fremont’s Ardenwood (Horatio-Polonius Block)

To: Mayor Raj Salwan, City of Fremont

Dear Mayor Salwan,

First, we want to thank you for your outstanding leadership since taking office and for your reputation of always listening to and acting on the concerns of Fremont residents. Your work advancing economic development, public safety, and community engagement has been truly appreciated by us all.

We are writing as a united group of residents from the Horatio-Polonius block of Ardenwood to bring attention to an urgent issue affecting our neighborhood: the lack of choice in high-speed Internet providers. Despite living in the heart of Silicon Valley, our block continues to be a high-speed Internet desert, which is both surprising and disheartening given Fremont’s status as a technology hub.

Over ten years ago, most Fremont neighborhoods received AT&T Fiber—yet our block was left out of those plans and remains unserved to this day. This has resulted in a monopoly situation, with Xfinity (Comcast) as the sole high-speed provider, charging premium rates due to the absence of competition. The consequences of this are severe for our community: students struggle to access learning resources remotely, and many high-tech professionals working from home face persistent connectivity issues which impact productivity and livelihood.

As the world becomes ever more digital, reliable and affordable high-speed Internet is no longer a luxury—it is an absolute necessity for education, employment, and daily life. We respectfully urge you to prioritize the extension of AT&T Fiber plans and invite more choices in broadband service to the Horatio-Polonius block, ensuring fair competition and accessible rates for all residents.

Thank you for taking the time to hear our concerns. We are confident in your ability and commitment to address this matter and look forward to positive steps toward resolving Fremont’s digital divide.

Signed:
Residents of the Horatio-Polonius Block, Ardenwood, Fremont