Broadband for All Update

Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative Update

The quarterly MMAC meeting on April 19, featured several announcements as MMBI advances statewide installation and construction projects. During the meeting, program staff updated the committee on funding and cost components and the 93 Federal Funding Account Grant Applications, indicating their intent to connect to the Middle Mile. 

Staff also discussed the project’s momentum, highlighting the project miles underway in Los Angeles, Lassen, Humboldt, and Del Norte Counties, as well as the Bay Area and Central Valley. To further the MMBI development, negotiations are underway with several Native American Tribes to bring reliable, high-speed broadband service to tribal lands that historically have limited or no service. 

Enhancements to the MMBI website were announced for the public and stakeholders to see MMBI’s progress around the state in real time. Updates to the interactive map will be published on the last Monday of each month.  

The video recording of the meeting, transcription, and presentation slides will be available for download on the MMBI resources page.  

Caltrans is starting construction on approximately 160 miles of the MMBI network in the counties of Inyo, Lake, Lassen, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Riverside, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Ventura. 

• Contractors have begun micro-trenching a 10.7-mile route along State Route 74 in Riverside County. 
• The Mendocino County 10-mile segment is targeted for Summer 2024 for conduit to be in the ground. 

CDT’s other partners have projects completed or underway: 

• Boldyn has completed 50% of a 30-mile segment along the I-880 corridor next to Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) from Oakland to Fremont in the heart of the Bay Area. A 14-mile segment between San Francisco and San Bruno is 100% complete. 
• Lumen has started its fiber overpull on three segments: El Cajon to Winterhaven (165 miles), Sacramento to Palo Cedro (173 miles), and Los Angeles to San Diego (190 miles). 

This May: 

• Caltrans expects to complete the installation of fiber, conduit, and vaults on an 18-mile segment of State Route 67 in San Diego County. This segment was incorporated into an existing Dig Smart transportation project and was the first Caltrans “Build” MMBI project to go into construction in October 2022.  
• Caltrans plans to begin constructing an 8-mile segment along I-5 in Shasta County. 
• Lumen will start pulling fiber on 3 segments: Oakland to Sacramento (85 miles), Santee to Lakeside (4 miles) and Napa (11 miles). 
• Boldyn will pull fiber on another 9-mile segment along I-580 in Alameda County between Oakland and Richmond. 

We encourage everyone to check the “What’s New” section of the website for the latest program updates. 

Last Mile Program Update

Federal Funding Account Updates

The CPUC’s Last Mile Federal Funding Account provides broadband infrastructure grants to bring unserved Californians high-speed connections. A list of proposed projects, grant applicants, requested amounts, and objections can be found in the Broadband Grant Portal here. CPUC staff is evaluating grant applications from the first funding window that closed in September 2023. Staff will soon begin presenting funding recommendations in resolutions, and will include a public comment period before a Commission vote. Learn more about the Last Mile Federal Funding Account on the website, and subscribe to program updates to receive announcements.

Loan Loss Reserve Fund

The Loan Loss Reserve Fund received more than 38 applications for over $451 million in the first application window that closed April 9, 2024. This new program provides credit enhancements that support local governments, Tribes, and non-profits to fund broadband infrastructure projects. The program enables more favorable borrowing rates for bonds, loans, and letters of credit. The Loan Loss Reserve Fund is unique in that it allows for financing in underserved and served communities and gives extra points to projects that benefit those areas.
Visit the Loan Loss Reserve Fund webpage for webinars, information sheets, application information, updates on future funding windows, and to subscribe to announcements. 

California Advanced Services Fund Updates

Broadband Public Housing Account

The California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Public Housing Account provides grants supporting free broadband for low-income residents of eligible housing communities. The program recently expanded eligibility for types of applicants and costs that can be reimbursed. Applications are accepted semiannually, by the 1st of July and January. Please refer to the Broadband Public Housing Account webpage here for application instructions and materials per Decision (D.) 24-03-021 and information on program eligibility requirements and application process. 

The Federal Communications Commission recently released its annual broadband deployment report increasing the speed threshold from 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3 Mbps upload to 100 Mbps download, and 20 Mbps upload. Broadband Public Housing Account grant applications are subject to this increased standard per D.22-05-029.

Tribal Technical Assistance Grants

The Tribal Technical Assistance Grant Program provides grants to California Tribes for eligible pre-construction work that enables broadband internet connectivity. Tribes may receive up to $250,000 each fiscal year to fund activities including market studies, feasibility studies, and business plans. Applications are accepted four times a year by the 1st of January, April, July, and October. Three applications were received in the April 1, 2024 cycle, requesting $750,000 in Tribal Technical Assistance funding. In the January 2024 cycle, over $500,000 was awarded to three Tribes. Find out more about the program here. 

Tribal Technical Assistance Grants

The Tribal Technical Assistance Grant Program provides grants to California Tribes for eligible pre-construction work that enables broadband internet connectivity. Tribes may receive up to $250,000 each fiscal year to fund activities, including market studies, feasibility studies, and business plans. Applications are accepted four times a year by the 1st of January, April, July, and October. The next round of applications should be submitted on or before October 1, 2024. Find out more about the program here. 

Broadband Infrastructure Grants

The CASF Infrastructure Grant Account is currently reviewing applications for the June 2023 funding window, which will be proposed for approval or “deemed denied” by June 30, 2024. The 2024 application deadline has yet to be announced. On May 2, the CPUC sent out a Notice of Availability regarding Draft Resolution T-17821 for the Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account application of Surfnet Communications, Inc., for its Three County Fiber Project. Learn more about the Infrastructure Grant Account on the website.

CPUC Broadband Caseworkers

The CPUC’s broadband caseworkers engage with rural, urban, and Tribal communities throughout California as they pursue solutions to the digital divide. Caseworkers share expertise and help entities navigate funding programs/models. The broadband caseworker website provides a collection of technical, funding, and policy resources. Questions may be directed to the team at Broadband.Caseworkers@cpuc.ca.gov.

Broadband Adoption and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Update

The Affordable Connectivity Program ceased accepting new applications and enrollments on February 7th. For more information, please visit https://www.fcc.gov/acp.

Low-Cost Offer Finder

To promote broadband affordability, CDT provides the low-cost offer finder tool, with information from EveryoneOn and CETF, as a public service to California residents. The information and services provided assist Californians with finding programs in their areas that offer low-cost internet services, computer equipment, and digital skills training. 

Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Updates

State Digital Equity Plan & Capacity Grant Program

As a reminder, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved the California State Digital Equity Plan (SDEP) on March 28 and released the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on March 29. Per the NOFO, California is eligible to apply for its statutory allocation of funding which was calculated to be $70.2 million. The State will respond to the NOFO and submit an application to the NTIA by May 28, 2024. 

SDEP and Digital Equity Capacity Grant NOFO Stakeholder Briefing

CDT will host a virtual briefing on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. to share information with digital equity stakeholders on the State Digital Equity Plan implementation, Digital Equity Capacity Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), and opportunities to further collaborate, engage, and provide input on the Capacity Grant program design.

Register here.

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program Updates

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.

The CPUC submitted for federal approval an Initial Proposal (Volume I and Volume II) outlining how the State will grant BEAD funding awards. The CPUC received federal approval of Volume I and subsequently issued a Proposed Decision for public comment on April 5, 2024. The earliest the CPUC can adopt the proposal governing the BEAD Challenge Process rules is May 9, 2024.

The Challenge Process must be completed within 120 calendar days and is critical to ensuring that the national FCC Broadband Map used to determine eligibility for BEAD funds accurately reflects broadband access and availability across our state by identifying if a broadband serviceable location should or should not be designated as served, unserved, or underserved.

The CPUC is currently conducting outreach to help stakeholders understand the Challenge Process and how to prepare to participate prior to challenge process commencing. A list of events and links to register are available on the BEAD Events page.

Pre-registration is now open to permissible challengers. Consistent with NTIA program rules, permissible challengers include local governments, Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and broadband service providers. Permissible challengers may also opt-in to submit challenges on behalf of residents. Please visit the Challenge Portal to submit a registration request.

Visit the BEAD webpage for general BEAD Program information and to sign up for email updates.

Upcoming Events

Date	Time	Event	Locations and Links
Thursday, May 23, 2024	2:00-3:30 p.m.	SDEP and Digital Equity Capacity Grant NOFO Briefing (Virtual)	Register here
Friday, July 19, 2024	10:00-11:30 a.m.	Middle-Mile Advisory Committee Meeting (Hybrid)	(New location) California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), Byron Sher Auditorium – 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Zoom
Tuesday, July 23, 2024	9:30-11:30 a.m.	California Broadband Council Meeting (Hybrid)	California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), Byron Sher Auditorium – 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Zoom

Job Opportunities

California Department of Technology 

CDT is hiring across many teams to support Broadband for All. Apply using the link below.

• Associate Governmental Program Analyst – Digital Equity Engagement & Operations Analyst – FFD 5/19/24

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.  

Keep an eye on CDT Broadband job postings and CPUC job postings. Visit CalCareers  for more information and to apply for open positions.

Back to top