AVALON, Calif. (January 5, 2026) – Catalina Island announced today the approval of a $37.6 million fund for a new undersea fiber connection.
In a meeting on December 18, 2025, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved $37,571,833 of funding to build an undersea fiber connection between Huntington Beach and Avalon on Catalina Island. The funding addresses a decades-long need for reliable and redundant internet and cellular technology, including for lifesaving emergency communications.
Since 2017, stakeholders have sought a solution to the island’s unreliable communications services, which are currently limited to microwave technology. In 2019, Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority CEO Jim Luttjohann formed an Island Connectivity Group of local stakeholders, government and nongovernment agencies, service providers, and technology experts. This group reached the consensus that Catalina island would need undersea fiber connected to mainland infrastructure, commencing the pursuit of funding for this project.
Lance Ware, CEO of AVX and Chief Strategy Officer of Catalina Island Health, joined the Island Connectivity Group’s efforts in 2020, putting his expertise to work and ultimately facilitating the proposal’s funding. During this process, underserviced areas of Huntington Beach were identified and a relationship was established to take advantage of unused existing gas and oil pipelines for cable landings and enhanced internet access in the Huntington Beach community.
Lisa Lavelle, Mayor Pro Tem of Avalon, attended the hearing and spoke on behalf of the project’s necessity for both the island and its mainland counterparts. Casey McKeon, Mayor of Huntington Beach, also emphasized the need for his community and added that many of Catalina Island’s most frequent visitors are Huntington Beach residents. Other speakers in support of the project included Tim Kielpinski, CEO of Catalina Island Health; Brian Mineghino of Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal’s office; and Jennifer LaMarque of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office. Two representatives from Caltech also emphasized the importance of the seismic monitoring and earthquake alerts provided by the undersea fiber.
Other supporters include Congressman Robert Garcia, State Senator Lena Gonzalez, Senator Tony Strickland, Assemblymembers Diane Dixon and Brian TriTa, and Hector De La Torre of Gateway Cities COG. Stated Ware, “All of these supporters know that fiber connectivity is the best and most reliable way to meet the needs of all income levels of residents and visitors to the communities that will be served upon the project’s completion.”
Said Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, “Reliable, high-speed connectivity is essential to Catalina’s future, and I’ve been proud to champion this effort from the start. Today is a great day and a huge win for our island community: strengthening tourism, expanding educational and economic opportunity for residents and students, and ensuring our hospital can deliver lifesaving care when it matters most. For island communities, connectivity isn’t a luxury, it’s critical infrastructure, and I remain committed to continuing to deliver real results for Catalina.”
“Expanded broadband is essential to advancing health equity on Catalina Island,” explained Catalina Island Health CEO Tim Kielpinski. “It improves access to mental health care, specialty services, and chronic care for residents who face barriers to off-island travel, supports education and workforce engagement, and ensures our hospital can sustain communication and patient care during emergencies. Together, these benefits make our community stronger and more resilient.”
Said Luttjohann, “Love Catalina supports the undersea fiber project for visitors and residents on Catalina Island to benefit from improved connectivity in their work and personal lives, while businesses benefit from fewer interruptions of services and public safety is improved for all.” Luttjohann stated, “In April 2024, the Love Catalina Board of Directors voted to support the project with an allocation of $100,000, which will now be paid toward initial start-up costs.”
“This funding secures Catalina Island’s connectivity future,” added Ware. “For too long, residents, businesses, and visitors have relied on aging microwave links that fail when they’re needed most. Submarine fiber will deliver the reliable, redundant communications infrastructure the island deserves — including restoring dependable basic telephone service that residents have struggled with for years.”
Ware noted the project will also benefit the broader region. “The fiber will carry seismic monitoring data for Caltech’s earthquake early warning system, extending protection to millions of Southern Californians. And by repurposing a decommissioned oil terminal and cleaned gas pipeline for our Huntington Beach landings — a project that received unanimous support from Huntington Beach city leadership — we’re demonstrating that responsible infrastructure development can serve both environmental and economic goals.”
“Reliable connectivity is foundational infrastructure, just like water and power,” Ware explained. “This project is part of a bigger picture — ensuring the island’s critical systems are resilient and serve the public good for generations to come.”
AVX expects the project to take approximately three years to complete, encompassing marine surveys, environmental permitting, and cable installation. “We’re committed to working closely with fisheries and other stakeholders to ensure responsible deployment. We encourage everyone to follow our progress at avxnetworks.com for updates and FAQs,” shares Ware.
“Next steps will include getting the project approvals from State and local agencies, and we are all onboard for making that happen!” exclaimed Lavelle. “We are deeply indebted to all the people who have spent so many hours of their lives bringing this to the point of approval.”
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About Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority:
With over 200 members, the non-profit organization Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority is the champion of the island’s business community. The organization fosters a successful economy through the promotion of the island as an attractive destination for travel with a focus on sustainability. For more information, please visit www.lovecatalina.com. Travelers can also join the conversation on Facebook (@LoveCatalinaIsland), Instagram (@LoveCatalinaIsland), and X (@LoveCatalina_).
About AVX Networks:
AVX Networks is a newly formed entity focused on providing greater connectivity to unserved and underserved residents of California, and beyond. Its initial focus is to provide secure, reliable, scalable connectivity to Catalina Island, in the coastal waters of California. It is made up of an experienced team of technology, and connectivity experts to plan, engineer, architect, and stand up this network in a way that is reliable, scalable and sustainable. The team spans financial, operational, and technology realms, with additional expertise specific to subsea optical cable design, engineering, permitting, installation and operations. Collectively the team has 70+ years in telecom installation, operations and 35+ in subsea cable construction. Visit AVXNetworks.com to learn more.
About Catalina Island:
A picture-perfect island paradise just 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina is a beautiful, dynamic, eclectic destination with a rich history, wide open spaces, and fresh ocean breezes. Catalina offers 25 lodging properties and 300 vacation rentals, including bed and breakfast inns, seaside condominiums, charming bungalows and hotels. The Island boasts 33 palate-pleasing restaurants, lively seaside bars, and an abundance of on- and off-water activities and amenities. Also home to eight marine sanctuaries and the Catalina Island Conservancy (with 48,000 acres of pristine protected wilderness), these island treasures offer endless year-round outdoor recreation possibilities. Catalina is the perfect getaway all visitors will love. For more information, please visit www.LoveCatalina.com.
CONTACT:
Jim Luttjohann, Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority
jim@lovecatalina.com | 310.510.7643
Lance Ware, AVX Networks
lance@ware.net | 646.394.7099
