Staff from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) joined Cruzio Internet in Santa Cruz to celebrate the completion of the Equal Access Summits to the Sea project, which aims to deliver reliable, high-speed internet to communities along California’s Central Coast that have long lacked access.
The project is funded by the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account. Earlier this year, CASF approved funding for Cruzio to deploy a hybrid fiber-powered fixed wireless network. This network will connect hundreds of homes across challenging terrain from San Mateo County through Monterey County.
The initiative addresses significant gaps in internet service for residents in rural and mountainous areas. Many families have faced daily difficulties accessing online education, virtual healthcare, and conducting business due to unreliable or nonexistent internet connections. The Equal Access Summits to the Sea project targets 759 previously unserved households across more than 1,300 square miles in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties.
Building broadband infrastructure in these regions can be expensive and often requires public investment. The CASF program plays a crucial role by helping providers cover costs for essential equipment such as fiber lines and wireless technology.
Cruzio Chief Operating Officer James Hackett explained why pursuing CASF funding was vital: “For Cruzio, applying for CASF funding was not just an opportunity. It was essential to making the project possible.”
Maria Ellis, Director of Broadband Initiatives at CPUC, outlined who can benefit from the program: “The CASF Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account helps internet providers, tribes, cooperatives, and local governments pay for the physical equipment and infrastructure needed to deliver internet service, such as fiber lines, wireless equipment, or a combination of both.”
The CPUC allocated $5.65 million from CASF funds for this network. The investment supports faster home internet speeds than many residents currently experience; a major backbone connection known as a middle-mile network that moves large amounts of data between regions; dozens of new wireless hubs; and improved access in remote or fire-prone areas where previous disasters or difficult terrain made service nearly impossible.
Once operational, the network will bring gigabit-capable speeds to families without reliable broadband options. It is also expected to improve communication during emergencies like wildfires or storms and enable other providers to use its middle-mile infrastructure—potentially increasing regional connectivity options while expanding affordable services across four counties.
Network resilience is also a focus; equipment will be built with backup power systems designed to withstand extreme weather events and maintain connections during outages.
According to CPUC staff involved with the event at Cruzio’s Summits by the Sea site: “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.”
CPUC encourages other communities facing similar challenges—such as rugged geography or wildfire risks—to consider applying for support through its Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program. Technical assistance is available through CPUC staff via email at CASF_Application_Questions@cpuc.ca.gov.
Projects like Equal Access Summits to the Sea are seen as models for bridging California’s digital divide through targeted public investment.
