Fixed wireless innovation enables fast, scalable gigabit internet without fiber constraints
unWired Broadband, a long-established provider of high-speed internet services across California, has officially launched a new connectivity initiative in Lost Hills, a rural community in Kern County. The expansion marks a significant step toward closing the digital divide in underserved regions by delivering reliable, high-speed internet access to residents, businesses, and public institutions that have historically faced limited connectivity options. Developed in collaboration with The Wonderful Company and the Kern County Board of Supervisors, the project reflects a coordinated effort between private enterprise and public leadership to strengthen digital infrastructure in one of California’s key agricultural regions.
At the core of this deployment is a newly upgraded telecommunications tower equipped with advanced fixed wireless technology from Tarana Wireless. This next-generation system is capable of delivering internet speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, a level of performance that significantly surpasses traditional rural connectivity solutions. By leveraging fixed wireless access rather than relying solely on fiber trenching, unWired Broadband has been able to accelerate deployment timelines while maintaining high service quality, making it an efficient and scalable model for similar communities facing geographic and economic constraints.
Headquartered in Fresno, California, unWired Broadband has built its reputation over more than two decades by focusing on regions that are often overlooked by major telecommunications providers. Since its founding in 2003, the company has concentrated on bridging connectivity gaps across Central and Northern California, deploying a hybrid infrastructure model that combines fixed wireless and fiber-optic technologies. This approach allows the company to tailor solutions based on terrain, population density, and economic feasibility, ensuring that even remote or sparsely populated areas can access modern internet services.
The company’s fixed wireless network currently spans more than 200 towers across approximately twenty counties, forming a robust backbone for regional connectivity. In parallel, unWired is advancing its fiber expansion strategy through its NextGen Fiber initiative, which is expected to be fully operational in four California cities by mid-2026. This dual-technology strategy positions the company to meet both immediate connectivity needs and long-term demand for ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet services as digital consumption continues to grow.
The Lost Hills project is particularly notable for its emphasis on affordability and accessibility. In many rural communities, high-speed internet remains either unavailable or prohibitively expensive, limiting opportunities for education, remote work, healthcare access, and business development. By introducing gigabit-capable service at competitive price points, unWired aims to remove these barriers and enable residents to fully participate in the digital economy. This includes supporting students who rely on online learning platforms, small businesses seeking to expand their reach through e-commerce, and families who depend on stable internet for everyday communication and services.
Matthew Murphy, CEO of unWired Broadband, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative, emphasizing that connectivity is no longer a luxury but a fundamental necessity. He noted that the partnership with The Wonderful Company reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that all members of the Lost Hills community have access to reliable, high-speed internet. According to Murphy, such collaborations demonstrate how aligning public and private sector resources can accelerate infrastructure development and deliver meaningful social and economic benefits.
The involvement of The Wonderful Company adds a unique dimension to the project. As one of the largest agricultural enterprises in California’s Central Valley, the company has a longstanding presence in the region and a deep investment in the well-being of its communities. Through its founders, Lynda Resnick and Stewart Resnick, and their associated philanthropic foundations, the organization has contributed more than $850 million to initiatives across the Central Valley. Of this total, over $110 million has been directed specifically toward Lost Hills, supporting a wide range of programs including education, healthcare, affordable housing, infrastructure development, and community services.
This extensive philanthropic engagement underscores the importance of connectivity as part of a broader ecosystem of community development. High-speed internet is increasingly recognized as a critical enabler of economic mobility and quality of life, intersecting with sectors such as education, healthcare, and workforce development. By integrating digital infrastructure into its community investment strategy, The Wonderful Company is helping to create a more resilient and future-ready local economy.
From a technological perspective, the deployment of Tarana Wireless’s fixed wireless platform represents a significant advancement over earlier generations of wireless broadband. Traditional fixed wireless solutions often faced challenges related to signal interference, limited bandwidth, and inconsistent performance, particularly in areas with complex terrain or environmental obstacles. Tarana’s technology addresses these limitations through sophisticated signal processing and interference mitigation techniques, enabling higher throughput, greater reliability, and improved user experience. This makes it particularly well-suited for rural and semi-rural deployments where laying fiber may be cost-prohibitive or logistically challenging.
The broader implications of this project extend beyond Lost Hills. As governments and industry stakeholders worldwide seek to close connectivity gaps, the model demonstrated here—combining innovative technology, strategic partnerships, and community-focused investment—offers a blueprint for scalable and sustainable broadband expansion. It highlights the potential for fixed wireless solutions to complement fiber networks, accelerating deployment while maintaining high performance standards.
To mark the completion of this phase of the project, unWired Broadband and The Wonderful Company have announced a public ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for March 25, 2026, at Lost Hills Park. The event will feature remarks from company executives, local government officials, and community leaders, reflecting the collaborative nature of the initiative. Members of the media and the public are invited to attend, and representatives from the participating organizations will be available for interviews to discuss the project’s impact and future plans.
Looking ahead, the successful rollout in Lost Hills is expected to serve as a catalyst for further expansion efforts by unWired Broadband. As demand for high-speed internet continues to rise across both urban and rural areas, the company is well-positioned to leverage its experience, infrastructure, and partnerships to deliver connectivity solutions at scale. This includes not only expanding its tower network but also advancing its fiber deployments and exploring new technologies that can enhance performance and efficiency.
In conclusion, the launch of high-speed internet service in Lost Hills represents more than just a local infrastructure upgrade—it is a meaningful step toward digital inclusion and economic empowerment. By bringing gigabit-capable connectivity to an underserved community, unWired Broadband and its partners are helping to unlock new opportunities for residents and businesses alike. The project demonstrates how targeted investment, technological innovation, and cross-sector collaboration can come together to address one of the most pressing challenges of the digital age: ensuring that everyone, regardless of location, has access to the tools and resources needed to thrive in an increasingly connected world.
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