High-Speed Internet Plan Met with Excitement, Questions in Rancho Santa Fe (CA)

After the Rancho Santa Fe (CA) Association signed a $13.5 million letter of intent with Hotwire Communications offering to bring 10 gigabit high-speed Internet service to the community, there has been a lot of excitement but a lot of questions as well. To help bring awareness to what services are available currently in Rancho Santa Fe, resident Lindsay Short arranged for Orion Cable CEO John Santhoff to give an informational talk at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club on June 1.

As disagreements flared up between residents, Santhoff and members of the Association board and tech committee, the meeting turned ugly with shouting and swearing. Short put an end to the disruption, reiterating her intent for a simple, informational meeting. “I will not have this shocking behavior here this evening,” Short said. “This is a friendly neighborhood and you’re making it unattractive.” Santhoff said that Orion has been offering services in the Ranch since 2006, as long as he has owned the company that he considers his “baby,” his business that he said he takes very personally. Santhoff said Orion already has an “extensive infrastructure” within the Covenant—including over 15 miles of underground conduit and more than 10 miles of aerial plant.