Breaking News

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Announces $70.2 Million Digital Equity Capacity Grant for California

The virtual press conference with Deputy Assistant to the President for Infrastructure Implementation Samantha Silverberg, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson, Director of Office of Public Affairs Charlie Meisch, and California State Chief Information Officer Liana Bailey-Crimmins was a great moment to celebrate our shared commitment to closing the digital divide.

Shout out to CDT’s Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy (OBDL) who worked tirelessly with residents and stakeholders across the state to develop the Statewide Digital Equity Plan (SDEP) which enabled this $70.2 million award. California will use this funding to implement its digital equity plan, which outlines how the state will empower individuals and communities with the tools and skills necessary to benefit from meaningful access to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.

More information is available in NTIA’s press release.

Community Spotlight

CA.gov Revamp: Making It Easier to Access Government Programs & Services

Broadband for All Update

Fourth Quarter California Broadband Council Meeting Celebrates Broadband for All: A Year in Review

The last California Broadband Council (CBC) meeting of 2024 convened on October 22. The theme of the meeting was “Broadband for All: A Year in Review” where presenters highlighted updates on the Broadband for All Action Plan implementation, Middle-Mile and Last Mile programs, Statewide Broadband Adoption and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) mobilization efforts, and SDEP and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) programs.
The Council voted to approve the CBC 2025 focus and meeting schedule. The next CBC meeting will take place on Friday, January 24, 2025, at CoveredCA and on Zoom.

Find past meeting recordings, presentations, and minutes here.

Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative Update

CDT Broadband Office Attends 2024 Native American Heritage Day Event 

The CDT Broadband Office participated in the 57th annual California Native American Day event on Friday, September 27, at the West Steps of the California State Capitol building in Sacramento. This event was hosted by the California Tribal Chairpersons’ Association in partnership with the State of California and was a great opportunity to celebrate the rich history and culture of California Tribes. CDT is proud of the partnerships it has built with several Tribal Nations. Each one is critical to the MMBI and helps meet the Program’s goals of bringing affordable, high-speed broadband service to unserved and underserved communities.

Middle-Mile Advisory Committee Meeting 

The Q4 Middle-Mile Advisory Committee (MMAC) meeting was held on October 18 at the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) building in Sacramento and on Zoom. The Committee heard the latest updates on the MMBI from CDT, its partners at Caltrans, and GoldenStateNet. CPUC also provided updates on the last mile programs it is administering.

During the meeting, CDT presented a video highlighting its progress building the Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN) with over 1,800 miles already under active installation across the State and more than 3,000 miles expected to be in installation by the end of 2024. In addition, CDT shared several new and expanded partnership agreements signed in recent months.

Past recordings, transcripts, and slides are available on the Meetings tab of the MMBI website.

Installation Updates 

The installation of the network continues across the State. Approximately 2,000 miles of the MMBI network are in installation through Caltrans and CDT’s joint build and IRU/lease partnerships. Here is the breakdown of updates for October:

Last Mile Program Update

Federal Funding Account Updates

Keeping the Momentum Going: Nine grants totaling $41 million for projects in Madera, Napa, and San Luis Obispo counties were awarded by the CPUC at the October 17 public meeting. The CPUC is announcing awards and proposed awards for last mile broadband projects approximately every three weeks through the end of the year as part of the $2 billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program. The program expands high-speed internet access for unserved communities throughout California, highlighting the state’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through Broadband for All. Information on awards and proposed awards is available on the CPUC’s Federal Funding Account Recommendations and Awards webpage, including a new dashboard with information on awards to date.

Loan Loss Reserve Fund 

The Loan Loss Reserve program published a $50 million proposed award to the Golden State Connect Authority for public comment in Resolution T-17858 that the Commission may adopt as soon as the November 7 public meeting. Visit the Loan Loss Reserve Fund webpage for additional information and to subscribe to
announcements.

The California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Public Housing Account provides grants to enable free broadband for low-income residents of eligible housing communities. The CPUC is continuing to review 35 Broadband Public Housing grant applications requesting over $2.6 million from the July 2024 application cycle. On September 12, the CPUC approved Resolution T-17836, which provides funding of up to $279,415 for two public housing infrastructure projects located in San Jose and Corte Madera. The next round of applications should be submitted on or before January 1, 2025. Find out more about the program here.

Broadband Adoption Update

Reminder: FCC Consumer Protections and Informal Complaint Process Post Affordable Connectivity Program

To prevent loss of service, unexpected charges, or ensure an easy transition to a new service plan, internet service provider households enrolled in the ACP are strongly encouraged to:

• Consistently check their emails, text messages, and mail for notices from their internet company about the ACP ending and how it will impact their internet bill.
• Contact their internet company and ask if they have a lower cost plan and/or a low-income program. When calling their internet company, have account and billing verification information.
• Consumers can also file a complaint through the FCC’s Consumer Complaint Center at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov about ACP billing and service issues.

For questions about the end of ACP, call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575 or email ACPSupport@usac.org for issues with your ACP provider, submit a complaint.

Below are some helpful links:

• ACP Consumer Protections and Informal Complaint Process
• FCC Consumer Complaint Center website

Low-Cost Offer Finder

CDT has partnered with EveryoneOn to promote broadband affordability and help California residents find affordable service programs in their area by zip code.

The low-cost offer finder tool, provides access to low-cost internet services, computer equipment, and digital skills training.

Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Updates

Digital Equity Capacity Subgrant Draft Guidelines Public Comment Period Has Closed

The 30-day public comment period for the Digital Equity Capacity Subgrant Draft Guidelines closed on October 29. All public comments submitted through the public comment form are being reviewed by OBDL. Thank you to all who provided comments and for your continued partnership in advancing digital equity.

View submitted comments here.

Mark Your Calendars for the November 18 Digital Equity Stakeholder Briefing

In continuation of our Stakeholder Engagement series, CDT will host an SDEP
Implementation & DECG Program Design Stakeholder Briefing on Monday, November 18 to share updates on the Digital Equity Plan implementation, the status of the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant, and a high-level analysis of public comments received on the Digital Equity Subgrant program draft guidelines. Register here.

To view past Stakeholder Briefings, find the meeting recordings and materials here.

BEAD Program Updates

On October 4, the NTIA announced approval of California’s proposed subgrantee selection rules contained in the CPUC’s Initial Proposal Volume 2. This is a prerequisite to unlocking over $1.86 billion in BEAD program funds.

More information is available in NTIA’s press release.

CPUC is preparing to submit the outcome of the Challenge Process to NTIA in early November. NTIA will review and validate the results for compliance before issuing final approval. After NTIA’s approval, a list of locations eligible to receive BEAD funding will be posted publicly.

Learn more about the BEAD program here and subscribe to receive email updates.

NTIA Funding Opportunities

Reminder: NTIA Has Opened Application Period for Native Entities (NE) Planning and Capacity Grant Program

The goal of the NTIA’s State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for Native Entities, also known as Native Entity Capacity & Planning Grant Program, is to fund initiatives that help Native communities to fully access and take advantage of the digital world. These investments can empower Native Entity communities through aiding economic development, preserving traditional practices, and facilitating inter/intra-government coordination. NTIA expects to begin issuing awards in Summer 2025 on a rolling basis.

The grant application window for this program is from September 25, 2024, to February 7, 2025.

For additional information and how to apply, please see here. 

Upcoming Events

Job Opportunities

California Department of Technology 

CDT is hiring across many teams to support Broadband for All. The previous posting for Staff Service Manager III – Assistant Deputy Director has been closed on November 4, 2024.  

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