Siklu and Cruzio Set Record Time in Fiber-like Wireless Gigabit Network Community

Siklu Communication and Cruzio Internet are set to turn on gigabit-speed Wi-Fi for the entire city of Santa Cruz in record time completing a first-of-its-kind broadband network deployment. Just three months after announcing the project, the partners used millimeter wave (mmWave) wireless technology to connect customers to existing fiber. This project represents the next frontier in the gigabit race where ultra-high speed and reliable bandwidth networks can connect customers within weeks, not years, of project announcements.  Serving 8,000 homes and businesses throughout Santa Cruz, the partnership brings gigabit Internet speeds to local residents, businesses and community sites.

“Being able to provide gigabit wireless services at key locations throughout the city is tremendously valuable to our community,” said City of Santa Cruz Mayor Cynthia Mathews. “As a member of Next Century Cities, we believe partnerships like this one help empower communities and lets us continue as a gigabit leader.”

With the project now operational, community anchor institutions can get gigabit service quickly and inexpensively, serving as a national example of how hybrid fiber-wireless networks can be a disruptive model for providing Gigabit-to-the-Home. The Santa Cruz network brings gigabit service to Louden Nelson Community Center, the Civic Auditorium, the Tannery Arts Lofts affordable housing and City Hall, among other business and residential sites.

“Santa Cruz is one of many cities that are using Siklu radios in new ways to bring gigabit broadband to their communities in record time,” said Izik Kirshenbaum, Founder and Chairman of Siklu. “Although in its infancy, mmWave technology is rapidly becoming the go to resource for providers looking for an affordable way to get to a gigabit.”

The Santa Cruz network uses Siklu mmWave radios that attach to the existing Cruzio fiber. The speed of deployment is largely the result of the ease of installation of these radios, which can attach to building facades, rooftops and poles to create a network that is able to reach all forms of residential and business buildings. The network installation allows the wireless fiber connection to bridge barriers that otherwise make the last mile of deployment the most expensive of any traditional fiber rollout.

“This technology is game-changing!” said Peggy Dolgenos, President and co-CEO of Cruzio. “Just three months ago we were announcing this partnership, and now we already have a long list of customers and community partners benefiting.”