What Cal.Net does

Cal.Net is a California-based certificated public utility and rural broadband internet service provider, founded in 1996-1997 and headquartered in Shingle Springs. The company delivers high-speed connectivity to underserved communities across the Sierra Foothills, Central Valley, and Northern California counties, using a hybrid network architecture that combines fiber-backed fixed wireless towers, fiber-to-the-home, and DSL in select areas. Service offerings include residential internet (speeds up to 1 Gbps with no data caps and no contracts), business internet with redundant dedicated fiber and wireless failover, VoIP phone service, TV, and triple-play bundles, plus a specialized AgTech IoT solution for precision agriculture built on LoRaWAN connectivity in partnership with Emergent Connext.

Revenue is generated primarily through monthly recurring subscriptions across residential ($39.99 and up), business bundles ($179.99/month for the Triple Play with 100% redundancy), and VoIP/TV add-ons, supplemented by one-time installation fees, equipment protection plans, and government-assisted program revenues (California LifeLine, Affordable Connectivity Program). The go-to-market combines regional territory managers (covering counties from Solano/Tehama/Yolo to Merced/Fresno/Tulare and Amador/Calaveras/Mariposa/Tuolumne), inside phone sales, four physical offices (Shingle Springs, Vacaville, Turlock, Sonora), and a customer referral program offering $75 residential credits and 50% business discounts.

The company has scaled through acquisitions of Winters Broadband (2021), a merger with Hstar Technology Group (2023), and the Littlebanc-backed acquisitions of Internet Planet (2025) and AFES Network Services (2026), bringing its service territory to roughly 2,300 square miles. It has been awarded over $90 million in cumulative grants and subsidies from the FCC Connect America Fund and the State of California, and operates under new CEO Jack Barker with a stated target of adding 40,000 subscribers by 2026.

Name

Cal.Net

Legal name

Cal.net, Inc.

Website

https://cal.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Cal.Net is a rural California broadband ISP delivering fixed wireless, fiber, and DSL internet alongside VoIP, TV, and AgTech IoT services to underserved communities across the Sierra Foothills, Central Valley, and Northern California counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Broadband Internet Services

NAICS

Satellite Telecommunications (5174)

akta.pro primary industry

Rural & Universal Service Fixed Broadband Providers (HDAIABAJ)

Keywords

• Rural broadband internet
• Fixed wireless connectivity
• VoIP phone services
• Precision agriculture IoT
• Fiber-to-the-home infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Shingle Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Residential Internet Service: Monthly subscription fees for high-speed fixed wireless internet services for residential customers. Prices starting as low as $39.99 per month (varies by region). Speeds up to 1 Gbps available. No contracts, no data caps, no misleading introductory prices.
2. Business Internet and Triple Play Bundle: Business internet services including dedicated fiber, dedicated wireless, and business continuity solutions. Triple Play Bundle combining internet, phone, and TV services for $179.99/month with 100% redundancy and backup network.
3. VoIP Phone Service: Unlimited local and long-distance calling VoIP services with features including caller ID, voicemail, call forwarding, and 911 emergency calling. Fusion Broadband+Phone bundles internet with unlimited nationwide calling for a single price.
4. TV Services: Television services offering access to local channels and variety of TV options tailored to customer needs.
5. Equipment Rental and Protection Plans: Equipment protection plans covering customer radio equipment and technician labor fees. Equipment replacement for damage caused by customer actions at full replacement cost. $400 equipment loss fee for unreturned equipment.
6. Affordable Connectivity Program Devices: Through partnership with PCs for People and EBB program, offering refurbished computers (desktops $20, laptops $49.99) with Windows 10 and Microsoft Office to eligible households.
7. Professional Installation Services: Installation fees including standard mounting of broadband wireless antenna and wire runs. Supplemental fees for extraordinary installations including wall fish, attic, or crawl space wire runs ($125), and VoIP installation ($75 first hour, $60 thereafter).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Cal.net is a California-based internet service provider delivering broadband, VoIP phone, TV, and AgTech/IoT solutions primarily to rural and underserved communities. The company uses fixed wireless, fiber, and DSL infrastructure to connect areas where major carriers do not serve. It also offers specialized smart-farming connectivity for precision agriculture and digital equity programs for low-income households.

Product overview

Cal.Net is a regional broadband provider serving rural and underserved communities in California, offering internet connectivity through multiple technologies (fixed wireless, fiber, DSL). The company provides a comprehensive portfolio of services including residential and business internet, VoIP phone, TV, and specialized AgTech solutions for precision agriculture. Their core offerings include Fixed Wireless Internet (delivering up to 1 Gbps via fiber-backed towers without data caps or contracts), Business Internet (with dedicated fiber and wireless options including automatic failover), VoIP Phone Service (unlimited calling with 40% cost savings), and TV Services. These can be bundled together in Triple Play packages for residential or business customers. The company also addresses digital equity through assistance programs including California LifeLine and ACP discounts, and PCs for People device distribution. Cal.Net's recent growth has been driven by strategic acquisitions (AFES Network Services, Internet Planet) expanding their coverage in Northern California counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fusion Broadband+Phone: Residential and business broadband plus unlimited nationwide calling bundled service.

Products and services

• Fixed Wireless Internet Fixed wireless broadband internet service delivered via fiber-backed towers to rural and underserved areas where cable and DSL cannot reach. Uses outdoor antenna installation on customer property with no wires or digging required. Speeds up to 1 Gbps with no data caps and no contracts.
• Business Internet Custom-engineered business connectivity solutions including fiber-backed fixed wireless, dedicated wireless, and dedicated fiber options. Includes business continuity service with automatic failover and priority support.
• VoIP Phone Service Internet-based phone service providing unlimited local and long-distance calling with features including caller ID, voicemail, call forwarding, conference calling, 911 emergency calls, and Find Me/Follow Me. Can save customers 40% compared to landline costs.
• TV Services Television entertainment services providing access to local channels and various content options. Offered as part of triple-play bundles or standalone.
• Triple Play Bundle Bundled service combining TV, Phone, and Internet for residential or business customers. Residential bundle can save up to $1,200/year. Business bundle priced at $179.99/month including phone, internet, and 100% redundancy backup.
• AgTech / Precision Agriculture Solutions IoT connectivity solutions for smart farming using LoRaWAN networks. Enables remote monitoring and automation of irrigation systems using in-ground sensors and solar-powered valve controllers. Helps growers automate valves, conserve water, reduce labor, and achieve SGMA compliance.
• DSL Internet High-speed DSL internet service available in select areas including Placerville, Diamond Springs, Shingle Springs, Cameron Park, and El Dorado Hills.
• Fusion Broadband+Phone Combined internet and phone bundle providing high-speed broadband plus unlimited nationwide calling for a single price. Includes call waiting, 411 directory service, 911 emergency calling, caller ID, and number portability.
• Business Continuity Service Dedicated wireless backup internet service with automatic failover for businesses using primary fiber, DSL, or cable connections. Ensures uninterrupted operations during primary connection outages.
• California LifeLine Home Broadband Government assistance program providing monthly discounts on home internet service for qualifying low-income California households. Offers up to $20/month for standalone broadband or up to $30/month for broadband bundled with voice service.
• Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Federal government program providing benefits on home internet service for eligible households, decreasing bills by up to $30/month.
• PCs for People Refurbished Computers Partnership with Microsoft-authorized refurbisher to provide affordable computers with licensed Windows 10 to eligible recipients (below 200% poverty level or enrolled in government assistance programs). Devices priced between $10-$50 through EBB program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 34% reduction in water use and $22,420 annual savings for Terranova Ranch's 400-acre tomato operation through smart irrigation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Emergent ConnextflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership to bring IoT solutions to farms in central California and a Midwest corridor via LoRaWAN networks. Combined Cal.net's rural broadband connectivity with Emergent's wireless technologies and IoT-driven control software for smart agriculture applications including automated irrigation and water conservation.
• Microsoft (Airband Consortium)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Microsoft's Airband Initiative to offer affordable devices, technical support, and digital skills training. Cal.net participates as an Airband Partner providing connectivity solutions for rural broadband deployment with Microsoft support.
• Cambium NetworkscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to deploy advanced 6 GHz fixed wireless broadband network for underserved locations. Cambium Networks provides the wireless technology infrastructure enabling Cal.net to deliver reliable, high-speed internet to rural communities.
• Land O'LakescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on broadband connectivity projects benefiting rural communities, schools, homes, and businesses. Partnership in Tulare County expanding hybrid fiber and wireless broadband network with support for agricultural operations.
• Terranova RanchflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmart farming pilot project demonstrating precision agriculture technology. Terranova Ranch, a 6,000-acre diversified farming operation, uses Cal.net's broadband connectivity and Emergent's IoT solutions to automate irrigation across 400 acres, achieving significant water and cost savings.
• PCs for PeoplecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer affordable refurbished computers (desktops $20, laptops $49.99) with Windows 10 and Microsoft Office to eligible households through the Affordable Connectivity Program (EBB). Cal.net Airband Partners can qualify customers and receive reimbursement through FCC programs.
• Shingle Springs Band of Miwok IndianscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompleted Fiber-to-the-Home project at the Shingle Springs Rancheria, providing broadband infrastructure enhancement supporting education, healthcare, and economic development for the tribal community.
• Western Growers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership producing case studies and business cases for smart farming technology adoption. Western Growers Association published the Terranova Ranch case study demonstrating ROI of Cal.net's agricultural connectivity solutions.
• Solano CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty partnership for broadband expansion including groundbreaking ceremony for new broadband tower in Dixon, expanding internet access in rural areas of Solano County.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Sonic: California-based independent ISP offering fiber and fixed wireless broadband to residential and business customers across the Bay Area and Northern California — directly overlapping with Cal.Net's Northern California rural/suburban territory, technology mix (fiber + fixed wireless) and customer segments.
• Rise Broadband: One of the largest US fixed wireless internet providers, focused on rural and small-town markets across multiple states — directly comparable to Cal.Net in technology stack (fixed wireless), customer profile (rural residential/small business) and regulatory moat (federal subsidies including CAF).
• Etheric Networks: California-based fixed wireless ISP serving the Bay Area and surrounding rural and suburban communities — competing head-to-head with Cal.Net in similar rural California geographies with the same fixed wireless delivery model.
• NextLink Internet: Texas-based rural fixed wireless and fiber broadband provider holding major CAF II/CAF broadband grant awards — directly comparable to Cal.Net on technology (fixed wireless), customer base (rural residential/small business) and public-funding-driven growth strategy.
• Resound Networks: Rural fixed wireless ISP operating in the Texas Panhandle and surrounding regions with multiple RDOF/CAF grant awards — directly overlaps Cal.Net in technology approach, target customer profile and FCC subsidy-driven rural expansion playbook.

Broad incumbents

• Starlink (SpaceX): SpaceX's LEO satellite broadband service, an increasingly direct competitor for unserved/underserved rural addresses where Cal.Net's fixed wireless currently operates — represents the most significant emerging threat to rural fixed wireless ISPs across the US.
• Hughes Network Systems: Established satellite broadband provider (Jupiter high-throughput satellites) serving rural and remote US households with managed service tiers — comparable as an alternative rural broadband solution competing for the same unserved customer pool as Cal.Net.
• Viasat: Global satellite communications company offering consumer broadband to rural and remote US subscribers — directly comparable to Cal.Net in serving the same rural addressable market, but using satellite instead of fixed wireless technology.
• Frontier Communications: Large incumbent ILEC offering fiber and DSL broadband across many of Cal.Net's overlapping rural California and Central Valley service areas — represents the larger, established carrier against which Cal.Net differentiates on local service, no data caps and faster rural deployment.
• Consolidated Communications: Multi-state rural and suburban broadband provider offering fiber and DSL services across the US — broadly comparable to Cal.Net in rural broadband customer base, though operating at much larger scale and predominantly using wireline rather than fixed wireless technology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cal-net-inc-
• Xx.com/cal_net

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cal.Net