Broadband for All Monthly Update
Broadband for All Update
February 2024
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.
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Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative Update
The Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative and our partners started several construction projects around the state, with approximately 100 miles now underway in northern and southern counties. This is an important new step in the work of bringing reliable, high-speed broadband service to under-connected and unconnected communities around the state. The construction schedule is developing, with monthly updates to the Statewide Map being published on the last Monday of each month.
CDT recently concluded two critical steps towards network implementation. A second Request for Innovative Ideas (RFI2) is continuing. Currently, CDT staff are reviewing the proposal submissions to help develop industry partnerships to facilitate faster network development. Final results of the RFI2 are anticipated in late summer with contract awards following final proposal submissions and negotiations. CDT is finalizing the purchase of network electronics, including network optical and internet protocol equipment and a network management system (NMS).
For the latest updates to the program, we encourage everyone to check the “What’s New” section of the website found here.
MMBI Market Sounding
Market Sounding activities are underway to identify best practices for the maintenance and operations of the State’s Middle Mile Broadband Network (MMBN). CDT is meeting 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 interested parties to email mmbi.pmo@state.ca.gov to learn more about this exciting opportunity.
Last Mile Program Update
Broadband Caseworkers
The CPUC’s broadband caseworkers support local governments, tribal entities, and other stakeholders as they navigate the broadband ecosystem to solve high-speed internet challenges. Caseworkers provide expertise about broadband grant programs, requirements, project planning and deployment, partnerships, and more. The broadband caseworker website contains resources on these and other topics. Meetings with the team may be requested by email to Broadband.Caseworkers@cpuc.ca.gov.
Federal Funding Account Updates
The CPUC is evaluating Last-Mile Federal Funding Account grant applications. The program provides broadband infrastructure grants to bring unserved Californians high-speed connections. The CPUC team will continue its evaluation in advance of making award recommendations to the Commission in the months ahead. There were an unprecedented number of 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 Broadband Grant Portal here. Learn more about the Federal Funding Account on the website. Those interested may subscribe to program updates.
California Advanced Services Fund Updates
Infrastructure Grant Awards
The CPUC delivered a $7 million boost for high-speed internet projects in rural communities across the state at the February 15, 2024 public meeting. The newest multi-million-dollar grant award is a continuation of the CPUC’s work to support California’s Broadband for All initiative.
The CPUC approved three CASF Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account resolutions: (1) Resolution T-17808 approved an $889,083 grant to Kwikbit Internet, Inc. for the Mobile Home Park 1 Project for unserved areas in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego Counties; (2) Resolution T-17810 approved $5.65 million in funding for Cruzio Media, Inc. for its Equal Access Summits to the Sea Project and (3) Resolution T-17807 approved a deviation from Public Utilities Code Section 320 for Anza Electric Cooperative to place 3.74 linear miles of fiber on existing pole facilities to deliver fiber-to-the-home. Approval releases $688,431 for the ConnectAnza Phase 3 Project.
Proposal to Expand Public Housing Program
On January 29, 2024, CPUC issued a Proposed Decision to modify the CASF Broadband Public Housing Account program rules to expand eligibility of “other housing developments” and mobile home parks with low-income residents and expand eligible project costs in low-income communities that lack access to free broadband service. The earliest the CPUC may vote on the Proposed Decision is March 7, 2024.
Tribal Technical Assistance
In February, the Tribal Technical Assistance program awarded applications for the Blue Lake Rancheria and Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake for technical assistance and broadband planning.
The CPUC also issued a Proposed Decision to modify the program rules, and the earliest the CPUC may vote on the Proposed Decision is March 7, 2024.
Loan Loss Reserve Program
The CPUC is planning to accept applications to the Loan Loss Reserve Fund every four-month period, beginning March 2024. The Loan Loss Reserve Fund is a credit enhancement program that supports local governments, Tribes, and non-profits to leverage funding (bonds, loans, letters of credit) for broadband infrastructure and achieve more favorable borrowing rates. The program’s final rules (see Decision D.23-11-045) were approved and published in November of 2023. Learn more about the program and subscribe to announcements by visiting the Loan Loss Reserve Fund webpage.
Broadband Adoption and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Update
ACP Household Enrollments Reach Over 2.9 Million, 50% of Eligible households
Thanks to the persistent collaboration and hard work of CBC members and others as part of the Get Connected! California mobilization, 2,945,281 California households, or 50% of all ACP-Eligible Households have enrolled in the ACP as of February 8, 2024.
The ACP Is No Longer Accepting Applications
The Affordable Connectivity Program stopped accepting new applications and enrollments on February 8th. Barring additional funding from Congress, April is expected to be the last month enrolled households will receive the full benefit. Consumers had to be approved and enrolled with a service provider by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 7th to receive the ACP benefit.
April 2024 – The FCC anticipates existing ACP funding to run out at the end of April 2024, with only a partial benefit available in May, if Congress does not provide additional funding. Households that are enrolled in ACP will continue to receive their benefit on internet service through April 2024. This date may change.
For more information, please visit https://www.fcc.gov/acp.
CDT and CPUC Urge Congress to Support Additional Funding for ACP
In case you missed it in last month’s email update, 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
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Update
CDT Submitted Next Draft of State Digital Equity Plan (SDEP) to NTIA for Curing
CDT submitted the next draft of the State Digital Equity Plan to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on February 13th to begin the formal curing process. This draft includes refinements CDT included as a result of public comment. CDT expects final approval for the SDEP by March 29, 2024.
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program Update
The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program is the next major tranche of broadband funding, with $1.86 billion in federal funding for broadband infrastructure in California. In late December, the CPUC submitted a two-volume Initial Proposal (Volume I and Volume II) for how California will make BEAD funding awards to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for approval.
To view BEAD underlying serviceable location data including latitude and longitude, a Tier E license is available free to local governments, Tribes and tribal entities, and non-profit organizations. Find more information on Tier E Licenses at How to Get Location Data for BEAD. Additional information is on the CPUC’s BEAD website and you may subscribe for BEAD updates to receive program news.
Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Updates
SDEP and Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program Stakeholder Briefing Recap
On August 26, CDT held a stakeholder briefing to discuss insights from the Capacity Grant Program Device Questionnaire and present the Capacity Sub-Grant Program Design draft framework. Federal Program Officer Gladys Palpallatoc from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) shared information and addressed questions regarding the NTIA Digital Equity Competitive Grant. Thank you to all who participated in this conversation. If you missed the briefing, you can find the meeting materials here.
Join the next stakeholder briefing on September 30 from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Register here. CDT appreciates the ongoing partnership and collaboration!
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Updates
The BEAD Program is a $42.45 billion federal program that aims to get all Americans online. California was awarded $1.86 billion in federal BEAD funding to build infrastructure and expand internet access in rural and historically underserved communities. The BEAD program is being implemented in California by the CPUC.
Upcoming Events
**Find materials from past events [here]
| Date | Time | Event |
| Friday, April 19, 2024 | 10:00-11:30 a.m. | Middle-Mile Advisory Committee Meeting (Hybrid) |
| Tuesday, April 23, 2024 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | California Broadband Council Meeting (Hybrid) |
NITA Program Update
REMINDER: 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.
Job Opportunities
California Department of Technology
CDT is hiring across many teams to support Broadband for All. Apply using the link below.
- Information Officer I (Specialist) – Information Officer I – FFD 3/7/24
- Information Officer II – Information Officer II – FFD 3/7/24
- Information Technology Specialist II – Technical Writer – FFD 3/7/24
- Associate Governmental Program Analyst – Digital Capacity Grant Analyst – FFD 3/10/24
California Public Utilities Commission
The CPUC is hiring for positions ranging from data management to engagement coordinators and will be adding more positions in the coming months to support implementation of BEAD.
- CEA B – Deputy Executive Director for Broadband and Communications – FFD 4/16/2024
Keep an eye on CDT Broadband job postings and CPUC job postings. Visit CalCareers for more information and to apply for open positions.
