Bellflower Connect FAQs

Bellflower Connect will be the City of Bellflower’s new community broadband network. This new network will provide free, wireless broadband access in all public areas of Bellflower. The City is rolling out this service in different areas throughout Bellflower in 2023 and 2024, starting with the area around Downtown Bellflower in the spring of 2024.

The City of Bellflower has partnered with Tradewinds Networks Inc., a data networking and connectivity company, to build the network.

Bellflower Connect will be a free, ad-supported service.

To log on where service becomes available, simply select the “Bellflower Connect" Wi-Fi network on your mobile device, and when the Bellflower Connect landing page loads, complete the fields, and click "Accept & Connect."

The public wireless network will operate dynamically to allow uncapped performance during low usage time while having performance limits up to 10 Megabits per second (Mbps) for upload speeds and 5Mbps for download speeds during high-density times. These performance estimates will vary based on the user devices, age of those devices, and if they’re being used in the proper way. It will also depend on the type of content being accessed over the network.

Public area connectivity will be best-effort with high performing capabilities and unlimited bandwidth for all users except during high-density usage. During high-density usage, there could be a reduction in bandwidth use with limits of 10 Megabits per second (Mbps) for upload speeds and 5Mbps for download speeds. These performance estimates do not account for user devices, poor user equipment, or lack of experience in connecting to a network.

Bellflower Connect will be focused on the Bellflower community. The network will provide connectivity for all residents and not just those that can subscribe to services. Bellflower Connect will be inside residences and in public areas, enabling users to connect to their community while moving around the city. 

Yes, all Bellflower businesses will be invited to join the network as clients and marketing partners focused on the local markets they serve.

The Bellflower Connect network will have a dedicated technical service and support group available via phone, email, and text assistance. Moreover, support will be a proactive function with service surveys, customer comment opportunities, and seminars to educate users over time.

Any over-the-air network system will have some degree of impact due to severe weather. The network will have several redundancies to ensure multiple backup systems, the ability to switch between frequencies for better performing opportunities, and multiple fiber connects will offer redundancy and various routes to the internet.

The Bellflower Connect network will be one of the safest provider networks in the world. The network adheres to industry standards for data security, cybersecurity, and employs an independent third-party for annual reviews and adjustments.

Bellflower Connect will not collect or sell personal data. The network does track groups of characteristics on usage by groups of devices. Through this aggregate level of collection of data, the network can be monetized and subsidized to reduce cost for all users of the network and puts the digital economy and control back into the community.

Users on the public Wi-Fi network can access the network using the Wi-Fi capability of their existing mobile device such as a smart phone, tablet, etc.

Yes.

No search history or other personal data will be stored. 

The network will keep all user data secure. There will be no maximum on the number of users once those users are registered and approved to operate on the network.

Yes, the Bellflower Connect network will be monitored to ensure performance over the life of the network.

Yes, all users must accept all the terms and conditions for network usage. These will be available online. Contracts are not negotiable.

The In-Home Broadband Access Program will supply qualified Bellflower households with broadband access modems that will amplify the wireless signal from the Bellflower Connect network into their homes.

There will be 3 ways to qualify for the In-Home Broadband Access Program. Your household will qualify if you live in Bellflower and if you meet at least ONE of the following requirements:

Your home is in a qualified census tract area (a map of the area is linked here);

You or at least one member of your household participates in a state or federal assistance program that is listed here;

Your household has an annual household income less that is less than the income limits for this program (the income limits are listed below).

Annual gross income is defined as the total gross amount of income (before taxes) received from all sources by adult household members who have earned or received income during a 12-month period. These limits may be adjusted annually. The City will use the most updated guidance from the U.S. Treasury in determining income limits.

The current In-Home Broadband Access Program Income limits depending on household size are listed below:

Online applications for this program will be available through a link on this webpage.

The program is funded by the federal Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program (SLFRF), which is part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).

The modem will be a hybrid device similar to what you would receive from a commercial service provider. The modem will provide in-home wireless service as well as 2 wired ports for use with things like desktop computers or shared printers.

Yes, the equipment will function within residences throughout the City of Bellflower as long as the network has been deployed in that part of the city. If you move away from Bellflower, you can return the equipment to the Economic Development Department at City Hall, 16600 Civic Center Drive, Bellflower, CA 90706 during normal business hours.

The modem will simply need to be plugged into a power outlet close to a window. The modem will register automatically to the public Bellflower Connect network within about 10 minutes. It will connect to the network and allow internet access after you go through the online registration page.

Residential networks will expect performance up to 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) for download speeds and up to 20Mbps for upload speeds. Over time, as the network expands, it will achieve 100Mbps download speeds and 100Mbps upload speeds. These performance estimates will vary based on user devices, age of those devices, and if they are being used in the proper way. It will also depend on the type of content being accessed over the network.

Residences will have performance caps based on usage, distance from a tower, or other environmental factors. Illegal content based on child protection regulations, or any applicable City, State, and Federal laws will not be allowed on the network. Performance estimates do not account for user devices, poor user equipment, or lack of experience in connecting to a network.

You will be able to get help with your device through a free, dedicated support team available 24/7 via phone, text, and email.

You will be able to return it to the Economic Development Department at Bellflower City Hall during normal business hours.

There will be no cost to cancel or return the equipment. You will be able to return equipment to the Economic Development Department at Bellflower City Hall during normal business hours.

If a network technician asks you to reboot the equipment, you should unplug it from the wall, wait for 60 seconds, and plug the power back in.

There will be upgrade options in the future. Users will also have access to special discounts on network devices like switches, laptops, and tablets. Users will have access to low-to-no cost applications.

We would suggest that you continue with your current service until you have your Bellflower modem and service is available in your area.

Yes, it will.

Yes, and yes you will be able to change your password as often as you like.