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Broadband for All Update

California Broadband Council Meeting  

The Q1 California Broadband Council (CBC) meeting was held Friday, January 24, 2025. At the meeting, state agencies provided updates on Broadband for All Action Plan implementation, Middle-Mile and Last-Mile programs, Statewide Broadband Adoption efforts, the State Digital Equity Plan (SDEP) implementation and Capacity Grant Program, and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) programs.

To find past meeting recordings, presentations, and minutes, access Broadband for All: Past Events.

Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative Update

MMBI: New Year Look Ahead 

This will be another exciting and pivotal year for the MMBI. CDT has launched its initial marketing efforts by engaging with Federal Funding Account (FFA) grant awardees and other potential customers as it continues installing over 8000 miles of middle-mile broadband network. Additionally, CDT expects to have a Network Operator in place later this year — a key milestone in bringing the network towards operational readiness.

Middle-Mile Advisory Committee Meeting

The Q1 Middle-Mile Advisory Committee (MMAC) meeting was held on January 17 at the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors building and on Zoom. The Committee heard the latest updates on the MMBI from CDT and its partners at Caltrans and GoldenStateNet (GSN). CPUC also provided updates on the last mile programs it is administering, focusing on last mile connections to the Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN).

During the meeting, CDT shared information on several new partnership agreements, its recent progress in moving to construction, and its efforts in looking ahead to operation of the network. In addition, CDT presented a video highlighting the significance of the partnership with the Karuk Tribe to build two key segments of the MMBN. The recordings, transcripts, and presentation were made available on the meeting tab of the MMBI website by February 3.

Installation Updates 

The installation of the network continues across the State. Nearly 3,100 miles of MMBI network has gone to installation through CDT’s joint build and IRU/lease partnerships and Caltrans construction. Here is the breakdown of updates for January 2025:

Caltrans Construction Highlights 

Caltrans continues to make progress moving from planning to installation on nearly 800 miles of the network as projects move from pre-construction to installation. Installation started this month on an approximately 4-mile segment (GLE-162) in Glenn County along State Route 162.

Last Mile Program Update

California ushered in 2025 with an additional $80 million in broadband investments to help close the digital divide

Federal Funding Account Updates

The CPUC awarded $48 million for eight broadband infrastructure projects on January 30. These investments are part of the multi-year $2 billion last mile Federal Funding Account grant program, which expands broadband internet access for underserved and unserved communities across California.

For a full list of the over $1 billion in last mile awards and recommendations to date, visit the CPUC’s Federal Funding Account Recommendations and Awards webpage, dashboard and map.

California Advanced Services Fund Updates

On January 16 the CPUC approved $4,455,792 in the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Adoption Account for seven projects. Collectively, these projects will provide digital literacy training to 4,140 participants and broadband subscriptions to 13,058 participants.

In addition, the CPUC is reviewing Broadband Adoption Account, Broadband Public Housing Account, and two Tribal Technical Assistance Grant Program applications from the January 2025 cycle.     

Comments and reply comments on the Assigned Commissioner’s Ruling Inviting Comments on Staff Proposals for Modifications to Line Extension Program, Adoption Account and Consortia Account are now due by January 31 and February 14, 2025, respectively. Find out more about the CASF program here. 

Broadband Adoption Update

Low-cost Offer Finder

To find affordable broadband service and computing devices, CDT has partnered with EveryoneOn to 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.  Home internet service and computing devices are critical for all individuals to reap the social and economic benefits of the digital world. The cost of both remains a barrier for many people.

Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Updates

Thank you for joining the January 31 Digital Equity Stakeholder Briefing

CDT convened 173 stakeholders on January 31 to provide updates on the State Digital Equity Plan implementation and Capacity Grant Program design.

As shared on the stakeholder briefing, CDT have launched the California Digital Equity Program (CalDEP) landing page, which contains important resources and links to assist you in getting ready for the application when it is launched later in Q1 of 2025. CDT will continually update this page and add new materials, so be sure to bookmark it and check back frequently for updates.

Additionally, CDT have launched the Partnership Coordination Resource for CalDEP, which is an optional tool that applicants may use to identify potential partner organizations they might wish to partner with on an application. Find out more this resource and complete the form to have your organization’s information listed in the Partnership Coordination Resource.  

Mark Your Calendars for Wednesday, February 26 Digital Equity Stakeholder Briefing

In continuation of our Stakeholder Engagement series, CDT will host an SDEP Implementation & DECG Program Design Stakeholder Briefing on Wednesday, February 26 to share updates on the State Digital Equity Plan implementation and the status of the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant program. Register here.

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

Digital Equity Resource Finder

The Digital Equity Resource Finder tool has been developed with digital equity practitioner network as the initial primary user. The finder has been populated with data collected during the development of the SDEP including Digital Equity Ecosystem Mapping(DEEM) data, regional public meetings and engagement with digital equity partners. Future iterations of this tool will be developed in partnership via ongoing work efforts of SDEP implementation. Please use the DE Resource Finder, to add your organization, update your organization’s information or remove your organization. 

For any questions, please contact the team at DEEM@state.ca.gov.  

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program Updates 

A provisional schedule for the BEAD subgrantee selection process has been published and applicants are encouraged to start preparing for the prequalification and solicitation window that will open on March 25, 2025. The schedule can be found on the CPUC BEAD Program webpage.

In addition, the NTIA has validated and approved the results of the State’s BEAD Challenge Process. CPUC will soon publish the BEAD Eligibility Map that can be used to design projects for the BEAD application window.

The CPUC is conducting BEAD program webinars and office hours to assist potential applicants with the subgrantee selection and application process. Register here to join future sessions and review past events.

Please make sure to subscribe here to receive BEAD email announcements including upcoming webinar dates.

Learn more about the BEAD program here.  

Funding Opportunities

USDA’s Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants Program application period opens until March 6, 2025   

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), part of the USDA’s Rural Development (RD) agency, has announced the opening of applications for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2025, depending on funding availability. The program is aimed at rural areas with populations of 20,000 or fewer. The notice is issued early, ahead of the FY 2025 Appropriations Act, to allow applicants ample time to prepare their submissions. The agency expects approximately $40 million in funding for FY 2025, based on FY 2024 appropriations. Successful applicants will be granted a three-year performance period starting from the date funds are released. However, applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred while preparing their applications.

Applicants should thoroughly review and follow the instructions provided in the FY 2025 DLT Grant Program Application Guide to properly prepare their submissions. This guide, along with other program resources, will be available on the program’s website.

 Broadband for All Portal Funding Finder

The Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy tracks funding opportunities as they become available and strive to keep the Broadband for All portal up to date with information for broadband deployment, adoption and digital literacy planning and implementation. Find these opportunities here.

Upcoming Events

**Find materials from past events [here]

Date	Time	Event	Locations and Links
Wednesday, February 26, 2025	2:00 – 3:00 p.m.	SDEP Implementation & DECG Stakeholder Briefing (Virtual)	Zoom
Friday, April 18, 2025	10:00 – 11:30 a.m.	Middle-Mile Advisory Council Meeting (Hybrid)	Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Building – Board Chambers  700 H St.,1st Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 Zoom TBD
Friday, April 25, 2025	9:30 – 11:30 a.m.	California Broadband Council Meeting (Hybrid)	Covered CA 1601 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815 Zoom

Job Opportunities

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

• Associate Governmental Program Analyst – Program Analyst – FFD 2/27/25

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