How California is Closing the Digital Divide

California Connectivity:

News from the Broadband Caseworkers

New Interactive Dashboard

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) continues to award and recommend Federal Funding Account (FFA) grants as part of the $2 billion program to expand broadband internet access for California’s underserved and unserved communities. More than $800 million has already been awarded and recommended, combined, for 76 projects in 33 counties benefitting 2.9 million Californians.

The Federal Funding Account Awards Dashboard is a new tool for viewing awarded and recommended projects. The interactive dashboard provides a map view, county and project filters, and corresponding summary data. Additional information about the FFA awards and recommendations is available on the Federal Funding Account Recommendations and Awards webpage.

California’s BEAD Rules Approved by CPUC

The CPUC recently voted to approve state rules implementing Volume Two of its plan for rolling out the $1.86 billion allocation from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The 120-day BEAD Challenge Process is coming to a close, and California will be submitting results to NTIA for review and compliance. A list of locations eligible to receive BEAD funding will be posted publicly after NTIA’s approval. Visit the BEAD webpage to learn more and subscribe to email updates. (NTIA press release)

Oakland Last Mile and Middle Mile Event

The CPUC Broadband Regional Initiatives staff (including the Broadband Caseworkers and last mile Federal Funding Account) joined the City of Oakland’s digital equity awareness event where Oakland announced and celebrated a series of complementary investments in broadband infrastructure and digital access. Oakland received a $14 million CPUC Federal Funding Account award aimed at bridging the digital divide in the City’s most underserved communities (CPUC press release for July 2024 last mile awards).

Contact the Broadband Caseworker Team, here, for help navigating California broadband funding programs and questions.

Key Dates

BEAD Challenge Process – Staff to Submit Challenge Results to NTIA November 4

Federal Funding Account – Proposed awards on CPUC November 7 agenda

Tribal Technical Assistance – Applications accepted by Jan 1, April 1, July 1, and Oct 1

CASF Infrastructure Grant Account – Next funding cycle due date to be announced

CASF Broadband Public Housing Account – Applications accepted by Jan 1 and July 1

CASF Adoption Account – Applications accepted by Jan 1 and July 1

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