Staff from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently attended an event in Santa Cruz to celebrate the completion of the Equal Access Summits to the Sea project. The initiative, led by Cruzio Internet, aims to provide high-speed internet access to communities along California’s Central Coast that have lacked reliable service.
The project is funded through the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account. With CASF support approved earlier this year, Cruzio has built a hybrid network using fiber and fixed wireless technology. This infrastructure will connect hundreds of homes across challenging terrain from San Mateo County to Monterey County.
Many residents in these areas have faced difficulties accessing stable internet, impacting students’ ability to participate in online learning, seniors’ access to telehealth services, and small businesses’ operations. The new network serves 759 previously unserved households across more than 1,300 square miles in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties.
Cruzio Chief Operating Officer James Hackett explained why applying for CASF funding was essential for making the project possible. Maria Ellis, Director of Broadband Initiatives at CPUC, described how the program supports internet providers and local governments with costs related to equipment and infrastructure.
The CPUC approved $5.65 million in CASF funding for this project. The investment enables faster home internet speeds than what many residents previously had. It also establishes a major backbone connection—known as a middle-mile network—that can be used by other providers in the region. Dozens of new wireless hubs have been installed as strategic connection points to expand coverage further into hard-to-reach and fire-prone areas.
The completed network is expected to bring gigabit-capable speeds to families without reliable broadband options and improve communication during emergencies such as wildfires or storms. Other providers will be able to use the middle-mile infrastructure, which could increase connectivity options throughout the region and expand affordable internet access across four counties.
The system is designed for resilience; equipment is built to withstand extreme weather conditions and includes backup power sources for outages.
According to CPUC staff, “This is exactly the type of project the CASF program was created to support. It shows how community-driven solutions, paired with state investment, can close the digital divide.”
The success of this initiative offers a model for other communities facing similar challenges with broadband expansion in difficult terrain or underserved areas. Interested groups are encouraged by CPUC staff to explore CASF programs and seek technical assistance if needed.
