Broadband for All Monthly Update
Broadband for All Update
September 2023
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.
Happy Digital Inclusion Week! CDT joins many other agencies and organizations during this year’s Digital Inclusion Week (October 2-6) to raise awareness around digital equity and inclusion.
For CDT, Digital Inclusion Week underscores the Department’s commitment to closing the digital divide by ensuring all residents have equitable access to the technology and internet resources they need to live, work, and thrive. Digital Inclusion Week also illustrates CDT’s aim to strengthen the state’s overall digital infrastructure.
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Broadband for All Update
The California Broadband Council meeting will occur in-person on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. The California Department of Technology, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and California Emerging Technology Fund will provide updates on the Broadband for All Action Plan implementation, the Middle and Last Mile programs, the Statewide Affordable Connectivity program mobilization effort, and the State Digital Equity and BEAD planning process.
Find more meeting details here.
Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative Update
The Middle Mile Advisory Council (MMAC) will conduct an in-person meeting on Friday, October 20, 2023. This meeting will present a valuable opportunity for the public and stakeholders to receive the latest information regarding the Middle-Mile program. We encourage those who can attend to do so.
Details here.
Last Mile Program Update
Broadband Caseworkers
The California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Broadband Caseworker Team is scheduling in-person seminars with interested public agencies. The seminars cover business considerations, technology and policy/tools and can be scheduled with the team here. The CPUC’s Broadband Caseworker team provide expertise about grants, project planning, data and mapping, business models, and regulations to community leaders and local governments needing help accessing grant programs to deploy broadband. These first videos provide overviews of Broadband Market Structure, Average Revenue Per User, Take Rates, and Churn.
Federal Funding Account Updates
The CPUC accepted applications for the Federal Funding Account September 29, 2023. The ~$2 billion grant program focuses on building last-mile broadband internet infrastructure for communities without access to fast and reliable internet service. The program will award grants for reliable and affordable networks to communities that need it most, particularly low-income and disadvantaged communities facing a growing Digital Divide. Watch for updates.
Broadband Adoption Grants
The CASF Broadband Adoption Account provides grants to eligible applicants to increase publicly available or after-school broadband access and digital inclusion, such as grants for digital literacy training programs and public education to communities with limited broadband adoption. The CPUC is continuing to review 68 Broadband Adoption grant applications from the July 2024 application cycle. The next round of applications should be submitted on or before January 1, 2025. Find out more about the program here.
California Advanced Services Fund Updates
At its August 31, 2023 voting meeting, the CPUC approved a $1.78 million grant from the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Line Extension Program to South Valley Internet to fund the Southside Road Project in San Benito County, which will provide 1 gigabit per second symmetrical speeds to residents of Southside Road Labor Camp, Hollister Migrant Housing Center, and Southside Mobile Park, transforming connectivity for 194 households.
The CPUC is continuing to review recent applications for the Broadband Adoption Account, which received 91 applications for nearly $15 million for broadband access and digital inclusion, the Broadband Public Housing Account, which received 14 applications to build broadband networks offering free broadband service to residents of low-income communities, and the Infrastructure Grant Account, which received 74 applications for approximately $527 million for middle-mile and last-mile infrastructure.
Broadband Adoption and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Update
More California Households Continue to Enroll in ACP
The California Broadband Council, state and local entities continue their commitment to increase affordability and adoption of home internet service by promoting low-cost internet plans and enrollment in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This helps low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet.
As a result of these efforts, 2,573,420 California households enrolled in the ACP as of October 2, 2023. That is 44% of all ACP-Eligible Households in California.
ACP Tools and Resources
The California Department of Technology, the California Emerging Technology Fund, EveryoneOn, and California State University Chico have developed the following tools to support individuals applying for the ACP, and organizations assisting with outreach, enrollment, and tracking ACP enrollment progress:
Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Updates
Digital Equity Planning Process Update
After an extensive engagement and data analysis process, CDT is developing the draft State Digital Equity Plan (SDEP) in anticipation posting for public comment and input.
Per last month’s email update, CDT has applied for a no-cost extension for its State Digital Equity Planning Grant (SDEP) administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). In response to NTIA’s strong recommendation, California joined 51 other states and territories that also applied for the extension to recognize an NTIA-introduced 45-day curing period to ensure the technical requirements of the plan are met. As a result of this extension, CDT will comply with the curing process and provide a greater opportunity for public input by extending its SDEP public comment period from 30 days to 45 days in Fall 2023.
Please join us for more information on the State Digital Equity Plan at the next Statewide Planning Group meeting on October 25, 2023.
Register using this link.
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program Update
The CPUC is preparing to issue a draft version of the BEAD Initial Proposal in the coming weeks, which will propose specific program rules according to federal requirements and guidelines. The CPUC will be conducting multiple forms of engagement in the BEAD proceeding to solicit input on the Initial Proposal, including a technical workshop, an All-Party Hearing, two virtual Public Participation Hearings, and written comments, before submitting the Initial Proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) by the end of December, as required by federal deadlines.
Upcoming Events
| Date | Time | Event | Locations and Links |
| Friday, October 20 10:00-11:30am | 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. | Middle-Mile Advisory Committee Meeting (Hybrid) | In-Person: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (450 N St, Sacramento, CA 95814)Join online here. |
| Wednesday, October 25 9:30-11:30am | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. | California Broadband Council Meeting (Hybrid) | In-Person: CoveredCA – Tahoe Board Room (1601 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815) Join online here. |
| Wednesday, October 25 12:00-2:00pm | 9:30 -11:30 a.m. | Statewide Digital Equity Planning Group Meeting (Virtual) | Register here. |
Job Opportunities
The California Department of Technology Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy (OBDL) is hiring across many teams to support Broadband for All. Apply using the link below.
California Department of Technology – Office of Broadband
- Information Technology Specialist II – Broadband Access and Deployment Advisor (FFD 10/6/23)
- Information Technology Supervisor II – Senior Procurement Officer (FFD 10/6/23)
- Information Officer I – MMBI Information Officer I – (FFD 10/13/23)
- Staff Services Manager I – Broadband Business Services Manager (FFD 10/16/23)
- Staff Services Manager II – Broadband Administrative Manager (FFD 10/19/23)
- Staff Services Manager II – MMBI Legislative Manager (FFD 11/3/23)
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 on CalCareers for more information and to apply for open positions once they are posted.
