Santa Cruz CA, January 19 2022 – Two of the oldest internet service providers in the country — and among the few independent ISPs remaining from the early boom years of the internet — are merging. Cruzio Internet is delighted to announce we are joining forces with Coastside.Net, San Mateo County's beloved and trusted independent ISP.

“Cruzio's mission has always been to expand our communities' access to true high-speed broadband at affordable prices”, said Cruzio’s President, Peggy Dolgenos. “Merging with Coastside.Net brings us one step closer to that goal".

Cruzio, incorporated in 1989, is one of the oldest ISPs in the country. In recent years Cruzio’s wireless and fiber service footprint has grown significantly. In 2020 Cruzio launched Equal Access, a program designed to address issues of digital equity in our region. Since then Cruzio has connected over 700 families to free or very low-cost internet and it is a high priority to expand this effort in San Mateo County.

Headquartered in Half Moon Bay and helmed by Rob Genovesi, Coastside.Net has been in business since 1994, using cutting-edge technology to provide a viable alternative internet option for the coastside community while focusing on excellent service in some challenging terrain. 

“We’ve worked closely with Cruzio for years so when the opportunity arose to join forces, we could all see what great sense it made”, said Rob. “I couldn’t be more excited for the future and the great things we can accomplish together."

Few survivors remain from the wildcat days of the early internet, where every crazy idea could get funded. Independent ISPs provided the tools for the dot-com boom, until it all came crashing down in 1999-2000, taking many small ISPs with it. The remaining entrepreneurs were largely muscled out when telephone and cable corporations moved into the market.

The few independent ISPs remaining have been stalwarts defending principles from the internet’s founding, such as net neutrality and open access. Areas like Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties, where Cruzio and Coastside.Net have survived and thrived, benefit from the competition with lower rates and much better service. 

Over the years Coastside.Net and Cruzio developed a close relationship, even loaning each other equipment to help out when needed. Both companies stand up during fire season, helping mountain lookouts stay connected and supporting the ham community, who keep emergency radio communications running. We live where we work. We are there for our communities.

“By joining with Coastside.Net we not only expand our service footprint, we add years of experience and skill to our core staff”, said Chris Frost, Cruzio’s Director of Infrastructure and Technology. “Together, Cruzio and Coastside.Net are better placed than ever before to expand our collective reach, do bigger and better things, and achieve our common goals.”

###

About Cruzio

Founded in 1989, Cruzio is one of the largest independent internet service providers in California. We provide cutting-edge technology services for more than 9,000 households and businesses in Santa Cruz County.

100% locally owned and staffed, Cruzio has on-site technical support, local roving IT, and a welcoming storefront in downtown Santa Cruz. Cruzio is known for its friendly, hands-on customer service that caters to its diverse client population, from residents and local nonprofits to small and large businesses throughout Santa Cruz County.

About Coastside.Net

Coastside Net, Inc. was originally created in December 1994 as CoastNet. CoastNet's purpose was to act as a technical support forum for the San Mateo coastside community. When the internet revolution began, CoastNet quickly stepped to the forefront of this new technology and became a full-service Internet Service Provider (ISP). CoastNet became Coastside.Net Internet Services and began providing the community with Internet access in 1995 and incorporated in 1997.

Contact

Cruzio Internet Marketing Department

Attn: Alana Matthews

Phone: (831) 459-6301 x288

Email: marketing@cruzio.com