SANTA CRUZ, CA — Surfnet Communications (Surfnet), a leading internet service provider for underserved Central Coast communities, today announced the completion of Phase 1 of its grant-funded initiative to build new fiber infrastructure that will increase access to high-speed internet service, promote digital inclusion and stimulate economic growth. Phase 1 includes locations in the Summit Area of the Santa Cruz mountains, including portions of Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties. Once fully built-out, service will be available to more than 1,400 customers in the area.
Surfnet joined community members, as well as local and state officials, at the Summit Store to celebrate completion of Phase 1. Speakers at the event included Surfnet CEO Mark Morganthaler; California Public Utilities Commissioner Darcie Houck; Santa Cruz County Supervisor Monica Martinez; Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience Director Dave Reid; and California Broadband Alliance President Sanjay Khandelwal.
“Fiber is the future. Surfnet is delivering on our promise to create access to reliable, high-speed internet service for families, businesses and remote workers in the Santa Cruz Mountains,” said Ken Nye, Surfnet’s Chief Operating Officer. “Thanks to strong partnerships with the CPUC and the California Broadband Alliance, we’re working hard to leverage our more than 20 years of experience to design fiber internet infrastructure that can withstand the expected and unexpected challenges Mother Nature throws at our mountain community.”
Grant funding for the project came from the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) and the Last Mile Federal Funding Account. In 2024, Surfnet competed for and won more than $23 million in funding from the CPUC, in partnership with the California Broadband Alliance, to build high-speed fiber internet infrastructure in the Santa Cruz Mountains, as well as in rural San Luis Obispo County.
The new fiber internet service is expected to deliver an estimated increase in download speed of up to 1,000%, and an increase in upload speed of as much as 3,330%. Phase 1 locations include Apple Hill Rd., Deerfield Rd., Del Monte Way, Evergreen Lane, Forest Dr., Highland Way, Loma Prieta Ave., Mount Bache Rd., Radonich Rd., Summit Rd., Sunset Dr. and Spanish Ranch – all of which are east of Highway 17.
Phase 2 construction is now underway west of Highway 17, including Baldwin Dr., Blue Mountain Rd., Call of the Wild Rd., Gillette Dr., Greenwood Dr., Highland Way, Hutchinson Rd., Melody Ln., Mountain Charlie Rd., Norman Dr., Old Ranch Rd., Old Santa Cruz Hwy., Pineridge Way, Summit Rd., Tahama Ct., Burl Ct., Citation Dr., Citation Ct., Majestic Drive, Midpine Ct., Montrose Ct., Riva Ridge Rd. and Tim Tam Ct.
Locally-owned and headquartered in Santa Cruz County, Surfnet Communications, Inc. is dedicated to advancing internet access and promoting digital inclusion across Central California’s coastal regions. With a focus on sustainable and resilient infrastructure, Surfnet aims to enhance connectivity for underserved communities, ensuring reliable and high-speed internet services to support economic growth and social well-being. Learn more at www.surfnetc.com.