In an important move towards narrowing the digital divide, South Valley Internet Incorporated (SVI) and LCB Communications have secured significant funding from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). This ambitious initiative, which amounts to over $30 million, aims to extend high-speed internet access to over 1,300 underserved households across Central California.

Bringing High-Speed Internet to Central California

Announced on July 23, 2024, SVI, a pioneering local internet provider with more than 30 years of service in Morgan Hill, San Martin, and Gilroy, CA, alongside LCB Communications, a licensed CLEC operator, are set to embark on two critical projects funded by the CPUC:

  1. The Southside Road Project in Hollister, CA
  • Grant Amount: $1.7 million from the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Line Extension Program.
  • Scope: This project will deliver Fiber to the Home (FTTH) services, providing symmetrical internet speeds of 1 Gbps to 194 households. The initiative will impact 740 residents, including 130 school-aged children.
  • Beneficiaries: The project will notably benefit low-income communities, including The Hollister Migrant Housing Center, The San Benito County Farm Bureau, and The Community Services Development Corporation Southside Mobile Park. Residents will enjoy free broadband services for at least five years
  1. The Aromas-San Juan Project
  • Grant Amount: Nearly $30 million to develop a hybrid middle-mile and last-mile broadband network.
  • Scope: Covering parts of San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties, this project will bring FTTH services to 1,038 unserved locations and fixed wireless access (FWA) to 63 locations.
  • Speeds: FTTH services will offer up to 5 Gbps symmetrical speeds, while FWA will provide up to 600 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload speeds. Low-income plans will be available at just $15 per month for five years.

Collaborative Efforts and Community Impact

Elise Brentnall, President and COO of South Valley Internet, expressed her gratitude for the collaborative efforts that made these grants possible. She credited Balanced Access, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the digital divide in South Santa Clara and San Benito Counties, and the Rotary Club of San Juan Bautista for their vital support and expertise.

“The team at SVI/LCB are thrilled to have received these grants and could not have done it without the help of Balanced Access and the Rotary Club of San Juan Bautista,” Brentnall stated. “Their combined support, expertise, and effort to identify and guide us through the process has and will make a huge difference for the communities we love dearly.”

A Future of Connectivity and Growth

The awarded grants underscore California’s commitment to enhancing broadband infrastructure in unserved areas. For SVI and LCB Communications, this funding marks a significant step towards expanding their network capabilities and providing affordable high-speed internet to underserved communities. The impact of these projects will be profound, offering enhanced connectivity that can transform educational opportunities, economic growth, and quality of life for residents in these regions.

For more information about South Valley Internet/LCB, visit www.garlic.com.