To the Residents of San Francisco and Our City's Leaders,

​If you live in San Francisco, you know the frustration of limited internet options. Many of us are stuck with monopolies that offer slow uploads, high prices, and unreliable service—a daily barrier to working, learning, and connecting in the tech capital of the world.

​Our community here in Sunset's District 7 began this petition to bring a better choice, Sonic Fiber, to our neighborhood. That initial push, powered by thousands of residents, led to direct meetings with both Sonic's leadership and our District Supervisor's office.

Unfortunately, after a promising start, our local government has stalled. Despite an initial productive meeting where Legislative Aide Mike Farrah committed to helping us navigate these roadblocks, his office has since gone silent. We have sent multiple follow-up emails over several months asking for updates, but have received no response.

Since we couldn't get answers from the City, I went back to Sonic to uncover the real technical reasons they can't build here. It turns out, this isn't just about demand. Sonic is blocked by two specific, bureaucratic roadblocks that have nothing to do with us wanting the service, and everything to do with outdated City policy.

1. ​Micro-trenching: Sonic wants to use "micro-trenching" (digging narrow, shallow slots in the street) because it’s fast and cost-effective. State law guidelines suggest a 12-inch depth is safe and standard. However, San Francisco Public Works is demanding 18 inches. That 6-inch difference prevents Sonic from using their standard equipment, making underground construction prohibitively expensive in our neighborhoods.
2. ​The $10,000 Wire Fee: The SFMTA has reinstituted a review process that effectively charges Sonic $10,000 per occurrence, just to cross their fiber wires over MUNI trolley lines. This fee has completely stalled aerial expansion in many areas.

For next steps, as the City has stalled on fixing these issues, Sonic is taking this to the state level. In Spring 2026, they plan to submit a proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to amend the statewide safety rules (General Order 128). This amendment would standardize the 12-inch depth state-wide, effectively overriding San Francisco's restrictions.

​Our New Goal: 10,000 Signatures by Spring 2026

To win at the state level, we need to prove that the public demand for this change is overwhelming. We cannot walk into the Spring 2026 season with just a few thousand names. We need 10,000.

​By signing this petition, you are not just asking for a single ISP; you are endorsing a specific policy change that will unlock competition for better ISPs for the entire city.

Even though I started this petition this past summer, we've reached each milestone, often ahead of the deadline. I know we can reach 10,000 signatures, and I know we can get Sonic Fiber in the city. Let's make it happen.

​Image credit: Reddit user cowinabadplace. Thank you for creating this gorgeous image for the Sonic Fiber Petition!