14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY october 10-16, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com As the pandemic spotlighted, access to the internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity. From health care and online banking to education and disaster communication, much of everyday life requires being online. The rural communities of Big Sur know this extraordinarily well, where it has been a struggle for the past 18 years to figure out a solution to get internet access to residents spread out across such diverse, coastal and rugged terrain. However, progress may finally be on the horizon. “I feel we’re at a point where it might finally happen,” says Patte Kronlund, executive director of the Community Association of Big Sur (CABS). “We are actually talking about what may be possible and identifying the challenges in the Big Sur area.” CABS has been working closely with U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley; the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership; County Supervisor Mary Adams; and consultant Kyle Evans, who was recently hired through a grant from the Community Foundation for Monterey County to address the region’s internet access issues. Together, they’re collaborating with internet service providers (ISPs), including GeoLinks, Surfnet and Cruzio, to assess what’s needed to bring reliable broadband to the region. Since the pandemic, internet access has improved with the introduction of service providers like Starlink and GeoLinks, but high installation costs and monthly fees remain a barrier for many. “A connection from Starlink is over $100 per month, with an initial investment of $500 to $700 depending on what kind of equipment you need to get,” Evans says. “It’s wonderful that that’s an option but it doesn’t cover the needs of the community 100 percent.” Big Sur’s heavily wooded forests, windy days and salty air can complicate the installation and upkeep of certain setups. For example, Starlink’s satellite dishes need to have a clear view of the sky. GeoLinks frequently experiences issues with service when high winds and rain knock its radio towers out of alignment. Couple this with a scattered population, and it might not make sense to internet providers financially. “That’s honestly been the biggest challenge that we’ve faced. ISPs, they’re businesses—they need to make money, and getting infrastructure down here is very expensive to begin with,” Evans says. There is a multi-pronged process to accomplish such a goal, relying on state and federal funding to create a patchwork of infrastructure that suits both the local residents and the geography. CABS breaks the process into three phases: the “First Mile,” establishing the main connection into the area; the “Middle Mile,” expanding the network throughout the region; and the “Last Mile,” which connects individual homes. “It’s challenging because people that live down here still deserve to be taken care of the same as everybody else in Monterey County,” Evans says. “That’s what I’ve really been pushing for.” Seeking Signal A coalition of Big Sur leaders are working to get funding for internet access in tough-to-reach places. By Katie Rodriguez A Starlink satellite dish, which requires a clear view of the sky, works for some, but not all in Big Sur. Other providers also struggle with the region’s features. NEWS “We’re at a point where it might finally happen.” TAJHA CHAPPELLET-LANIER VOTE STATE SENATE STANDING UP for the CENTRAL COAST Paid for By John Laird for Senate 2024 FPPC #1434540 “I brought my Subaru to Hartzel on advice of a friend and I was so pleased with the service & attention I got from them. Not only finished on time, but under the estimate I was given. Very rare these days. So pleased with the whole experience & great peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. Highly recommend this guy.” —David F., Seaside 2/14/19 510 California Avenue | Sand City | 394.6002 hartzelautomotive.com EXPERT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT. Subaru Mazda Lexus Infiniti Saab vintage MG SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE ONLINE TODAY
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==