The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is developing a tribally owned broadband network in Santa Barbara County, California, to improve internet access and community resilience. The project uses 10 Gigabit Symmetrical Passive Optical Network (XGS-PON) technology, which enables high-speed, reliable service across the region’s varied landscape.
Supported by a broadband infrastructure grant from the California Public Utilities Commission’s Federal Funding Account, the network will provide up to five gigabits per second symmetrical service for residents on Chumash Tribal Lands and surrounding areas. The fiber optic network covers about 13 miles underground through more than 1,400 acres of ranch land at Camp 4—where new tribal housing is under development—and connects to a data center at the Chumash Casino Resort.
The initiative leverages California’s Middle Mile Broadband Initiative to upgrade existing backhaul infrastructure and manage increased network traffic. This approach aims to address gaps in rural broadband connectivity and strengthen local infrastructure.
Passive Optical Network (PON) technology was chosen for its efficiency and scalability. PON systems use unpowered optical splitters to distribute light signals from a single fiber strand to multiple endpoints, eliminating the need for electrical equipment between the central hub and customer locations. This reduces maintenance needs and potential points of failure while keeping costs down.
David Fein, Project Manager for the Chumash Broadband Network, explained: “The obvious choice was XGS-PON. Today it is XGS, and already they are testing to 10, 25, and even 50 gigabit PON. So that same 10 Gbps service will be able to be expanded to 25 and to 50, easily, over the next 20 years or so. This will enable our service to continue for the next few generations. This technology was the only way to fit the requirement – we had to bury the fiber, and we wanted it to be resilient, robust, and redundant.”
To enhance resilience against wildfires and environmental threats common in Santa Ynez Valley, all fiber lines are installed underground. This method protects critical infrastructure from weather events and accidental damage but required careful planning due to cultural sensitivities on tribal lands and incomplete utility mapping. Most installation used horizontal boring techniques that minimize ground disturbance.
“We decided on underground fiber, where it would be impervious to weather and the fire hazards here. The idea was that we put it in once and it will be there for several generations. We decided to put a half-life on the design of 200 years. We wanted what is available today to take us to 10 generations in the future,” said Fein.
The network’s symmetrical gigabit service supports both fast uploads and downloads—a key feature as households increasingly rely on cloud services, video conferencing, remote work tools, online education platforms, telehealth appointments, security feeds, and multiple connected devices.
“If you are streaming your entertainment and working from home, with kids on the internet, you are limited. Gigabit service is the only way to guarantee we have bandwidth for today and tomorrow. Every time you turn around it’s another device in your home. Cameras, TVs, tablets, PCs, phones – everything. They are all putting a capacity burden on your connection because the data is being backed up in the cloud,” said Fein.
Initially operating below its maximum multi-gigabit capacity with room for future upgrades—including potential expansion up to 25 Gbps—the Chumash Fiber Network reflects industry best practices by allowing scalable growth without major new construction.
