The California Department of Technology’s (CDT) Broadband Update provides the latest information on the implementation of the State’s Broadband Action Plan, Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI), and other digital equity and inclusion activities collectively known as Broadband for All.  

The first California Broadband Council meeting of 2024 took place on Wednesday, January 24.

The California Department of Technology, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) provided updates on the Broadband for All Action Plan Annual Review and Revision Process, the Middle and Last Mile programs, the Statewide Affordable Connectivity program mobilization effort, and the State Digital Equity and BEAD planning processes.

The council voted unanimously to change the meeting schedule to April 23, July 23, and October 22, 2024 to accommodate a location downtown.

The meeting recording, presentation, and minutes can be found here. 

The quarterly MMAC meeting on January 19, 2024, featured several announcements as the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI) progresses into the new year and construction projects get underway. To enhance transparency for the public, partners, and stakeholders, we launched a Map Update Log on January 29, 2024 to summarize route and map updates on the interactive MMBI map and will publish these updates on the last Monday of each month. This webpage will detail changes to the virtual map, highlighting any adjustments of one-half mile or more to the network and providing location updates by county.

During the meeting, three new government-to-government joint-build partnerships were announced. The partnerships are with LA City Bureau of Lighting, City of Vacaville, and City of Fort Bragg. Additionally, ongoing efforts include forging partnerships with Native American tribes to bring reliable, high-speed broadband service to tribal lands that have historically had limited or no service.

Submissions for the second Request for Innovative Ideas (RFI²) solicitation concluded on January 26, 2024, with over 50 proposals received. These submissions showcase industry ideas aimed at aiding in the successful completion of the historic MMBI project by December 2026.

For the latest updates to the program, we encourage everyone to check the “What’s New” section of the website found here.

CDT launches market sounding to evaluate future of MMBI operations and maintenance

In February, the California Department of Technology (CDT) will launch a market sounding to inform its approach to long-term operations and maintenance of the Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN). The market sounding will include interviews with existing public middle-mile network administrators, private entities with experience operating large networks, and potential MMBN customers.

Through the market sounding, CDT will identify best practices for operating and maintaining the network in a sustainable way that minimizes the future fiscal burden on the state. CDT will meet with experienced network operators and public broadband officials to see how their experience can be applied to MMBN. CDT seeks strategies to maximize the utilization of the network, minimize lifecycle costs, and maintain robust protections for the public interest on key issues such as open access, affordability, sustainability, and network performance.

CDT welcomes all interested parties to reach out to mmbi.pmo@state.ca.gov to learn more.

Broadband Caseworkers

The CPUC’s Broadband Caseworkers help communities navigate funding resources and technical questions, with the mission of ubiquitous high-speed internet in California. The caseworkers are available for thirty-minute meetings with local governments, tribal entities, and other stakeholders. To learn more, please visit the Broadband Caseworkers website. Consultations may be requested by email to Broadband.Caseworkers@cpuc.ca.gov.

Federal Funding Account Updates

With funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, the Last-Mile Federal Funding Account provides approximately $2 billion in grants for last-mile broadband infrastructure projects to connect unserved Californians with high-speed broadband services. The CPUC will continue to review and evaluate applications, objections, and responses to objections, and make recommendations to the Commission to award grants in the coming months.

The CPUC received 484 grant applications with requests to fund last-mile infrastructure projects from every county in California. A list of projects, applicants, requested amounts, and objections can be found in the program grant management portal here. Learn more about the Federal Funding Account on their website. For news and updates, you may subscribe to program updates.

California Advanced Services Fund Updates

On January 12, 2024, two Draft Resolutions for California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account projects were issued for public comments. Draft Resolution T-17808 proposes to approve funding up to $889,083 for the grant application of Kwikbit Internet, Inc. for the Mobile Home Park 1 Project for unserved areas in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego Counties. Draft Resolution T-17810 proposes to approve funding up to $5,650,000 for Cruzio Media, Inc. for its Equal Access Summits to the Sea Project.

For the January 1, 2024 grant application cycle, the CASF Broadband Adoption Account received applications for 61 projects for a total request of $7,428,523.96, while the CASF Broadband Public Housing Account received grant applications for 21 projects for a total request of $1,332,001.60.

Local Agency Technical Assistance & Tribal Technical Assistance

On January 25, 2024, the Commission adopted Resolution T-17813 approving funding of $1 million for Round Valley Indian Tribes in Mendocino County. Funding is approved from the Local Agency Technical Assistance program ($723,000) in conjunction with a grant from the Tribal Technical Assistance program ($277,000). This is the final Local Agency Technical Assistance grant awarding all $50 million allocated to the program, including the $5 million allocated for California Tribes.

For the January 1, 2024 grant application cycle, the Tribal Technical Assistance program received two Tribal Technical Assistance applications for a total grant request of $300,000.

Loan Loss Reserve Program 

The CPUC is planning to begin accepting applications to the Loan Loss Reserve Fund in March 2024. Rules and guidelines for this broadband financing program were adopted by the Commission on November 2, 2023 (Decision D.23-11-045). The innovative program provides funding in the form of a credit enhancement to assist recipients in obtaining more favorable borrowing rates and terms for infrastructure owned by a public agency, Tribal, or non-profit organization. In addition to financing in unserved areas, the Loan Loss Reserve Fund allows for financing in underserved and served communities while giving extra points to projects that benefit unserved areas. Learn more and subscribe to program updates in advance of the launch by visiting the Loan Loss Reserve Fund webpage.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Administration launched Build.ca.gov to highlight once-in-a-generation investments in California infrastructure that will benefit communities around the state. With $41 billion already at work thanks to historic state funding and unprecedented help from the Biden-Harris Administration, the website illustrates how transformative these investments are for California.

Specifically, the new website outlines how state and federal infrastructure investments – $180 billion expected over the next ten years – are tackling some of California’s toughest challenges, including climate change, equity, and jobs.

The website also showcases several spotlight stories that demonstrate a sample of dollars at work in every corner of the state. One story highlighted focuses on the Middle-Mile Broadband Network partnership with the Arcadian Company, the state began a 306-mile segment from Los Angeles to Needles.

Read more here.

CDT and CPUC Urge Congress to Support Additional Funding for ACP

On January 23, 2024 CDT Director Liana Bailey-Crimmins and CPUC President Alice Reynolds sent a letter to the California Congressional Delegation urging Congress to approve additional funding for the program, citing its impact to Congress' investment in the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program.

You may view the full letter here: CDT CPUC ACP Letter to Congress​

Over 400 residents and organizations provide public comment on DRAFT State Digital Equity Plan

The DRAFT State Digital Equity Plan (SDEP) public comment process is now closed. Thank you to all of the California residents and digital equity partners who provided their valuable insights on the draft State Digital Equity Plan by submitting public comments during the 45-day public comment period which ran from December 12, 2023, to January 25, 2024.

We extend a special thanks to those individuals and organizations that promoted the digital equity plan within their communities. The California Department of Technology is grateful to have received 440 comments on various aspects of the draft plan, with the vast majority coming from California residents.

The California Department of Technology is reviewing public comments and will further revise the final plan based on public feedback where applicable and appropriate. We encourage everyone to review the public comments that showcase the diverse voices and perspectives vital to our commitment to digital equity.

As we move forward, we invite you to stay tuned for the official release of the Digital Equity Plan in Spring 2024. This plan will reflect our collective vision for an equitable digital future.

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program Update

The CPUC submitted the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in late December. The Initial Proposal outlines California’s proposed rules and guidelines for implementing the BEAD program.

The CPUC is preparing additional outreach with stakeholders about the upcoming BEAD Challenge Process. During the Challenge Process, entities may submit data indicating that a broadband serviceable location should or should not be designated as served, unserved, or underserved for the purpose of BEAD funding eligibility.

To learn more, please see the CPUC’s BEAD website including the Initial Proposal Volume I and Volume II. You may also subscribe for BEAD updates, here, to stay updated as the CPUC continues to share opportunities for participation in the BEAD program.

Round Two of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program NOFO has been extended to March 22, 2024

Tribal Broadband Connectivity Round Two NOFO Extension: The deadline for applications for the second round of funding from the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program has been extended to March 22, 2024. The extensions are intended to provide potential applicants with more time to develop competitive project proposals and project consortia. Eligible Entities that previously submitted applications may submit revised applications (entire application must be resubmitted) on or before the new submission deadline.

Broadband for All Update