The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is building a tribally owned broadband network in Santa Barbara County, California, using advanced fiber optic technology to provide high-speed internet service. The project aims to address challenges posed by the region’s varied terrain and frequent wildfires by deploying a resilient underground fiber optic system.
Supported by a broadband infrastructure grant from the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Federal Funding Account, the Chumash Fiber Network will deliver up to five gigabits per second (Gbps) symmetrical service to residents on Chumash Tribal Lands and neighboring communities. The network includes about 13 miles of underground fiber that stretches across more than 1,400 acres of ranch land known as Camp 4, where new tribal housing is being developed. The data center for the network is located at the Chumash Casino Resort.
The project also uses California’s Middle Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI), which upgrades existing backhaul infrastructure and supports new network traffic. This integration helps ensure reliable connectivity for users in the area.
The Chumash network uses XGS-PON (10 Gigabit Symmetrical Passive Optical Network) technology. This system relies on passive optical splitters to distribute light signals without electrical equipment between the central hub and customer locations, which reduces costs and potential points of failure. David Fein, Project Manager for the Chumash Broadband Network, said: “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.”
A key feature of this approach is minimizing active components in outdoor environments. By doing so, maintenance needs are reduced and energy consumption decreases.
Underground installation was chosen for its durability against environmental hazards like wildfires but required careful planning due to cultural considerations on tribal lands. Most installation used horizontal boring methods rather than trenching in order to limit ground disturbance. Fein explained: “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.”
Symmetrical gigabit service offered by this network enables both fast downloads and uploads—important for households with multiple connected devices or those working from home or attending online classes. Fein noted: “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.”
Initially operating below its maximum capacity, the network can scale up easily as demand grows; future upgrades could increase throughput simply by replacing interface equipment while keeping existing fiber lines intact.
This project reflects broader efforts by California authorities—including programs such as CPUC’s Federal Funding Account—to improve digital access through investment in open-access middle-mile infrastructure statewide.
