Broadband for All Update.

July 2026

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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Featured Story

CDT Establishes Digital Inclusion Partnerships to Support the Implementation of Broadband for All and the State Digital Equity Plan

The California Department of Technology is pleased to announce new digital inclusion partnerships that will support implementation of Broadband for All and the State Digital Equity Plan.

Our partners include:

  • California Emerging Technology Fund
  • East Bay Broadband Consortium
  • Everyone On
  • Literacy Minnesota
  • digitalLIFT
  • Human-I-T
  • National Digital Inclusion Alliance

These partnerships will provide community-based organizations across California with free tools, training, and resources to help expand access to low-cost internet, devices, digital skills training, digital navigation, and workforce development support.


CPUC approves $18.2 Million for Broadband and Digital Equity across California

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved over $18.2 million to enhance broadband access and digital inclusion across the state. This funding is distributed through several programs: nearly $14.7 million for broadband infrastructure grants, $3.4 million for regional broadband consortia grants, and nearly $200,000 for digital divide grants.

For more information, visit CPUC Approves Over 18 Million for Broadband Infrastructure

Community Spotlight

NTIA Announced New Funding Opportunities for Tribes

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced two new funding opportunities to expand broadband connectivity on tribal lands: the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) and the Native Entities Grant Program (NEGP), with application window for both between June 17, 2026, and September 17, 2026.

For more information about NTIA’s broadband programs, please visit broadbandusa.ntia.gov.

Anthropic Claude Corps

Anthropic’s Claude Corps program is offering a $150 million initiative to train and place 1,000 young individuals in U.S. nonprofits. Fellows will earn $85,000 annually for a year, assisting nonprofits in adopting AI to enhance their operations and impact. Applications are open to individuals over 18. The program aims to improve AI accessibility for nonprofits and create a sustainable model for AI adoption. July 17, 2026 is the deadline for the first cohort, which starts October 19, 2026. Applications stay open on a rolling basis for the January 2027 and August 2027 cohorts.

For more information, visit Anthropic – Claude Corps.

OpenAI Foundation’s: People-First AI Fund

The OpenAI Foundation is dedicating $50 million in 2026 to its People-First AI Fund, supporting U.S. 501c3 nonprofits with annual budgets of $500,000 to $10 million. The fund focuses on AI adoption in Community Support Services, Arts & Cultural Organizations, and Journalism & Media. Applications are due by July 15, 2026, 11:59 PM PT. Organizations with strong community ties and an interest in exploring AI are encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit Committing to communities: The 2026 People-First AI Fund.

Please send story ideas related to your work to close the digital divide and foster digital equity to digitalequity@state.ca.gov for consideration in future Broadband for All email updates.

Broadband for All Update

Looking Ahead: Q3 California Broadband Council Meeting on July 24

The next California Broadband Council (CBC) meeting will take place on Friday, July 24 at the Sacramento County Administration Center and on Zoom. There will be updates on the progress of the Broadband for All Action Plan, Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, Last Mile programs, and Adoption Initiatives.

Prepare ahead for the upcoming meeting by reviewing past recordings, presentations, and minutes in the Broadband for All: Past Events.

Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative Update

CDT Presents Middle-Mile Progress at North State ISP Roundtable

In June 2026, CDT participated in the quarterly ISP Roundtable hosted by the Northeastern and Upstate California Connect Broadband Consortia in Anderson, California. The meeting brought together internet service providers (ISPs), workforce partners, and regional stakeholders to discuss broadband expansion across Northern California.

MMBI’s Project Delivery Manager Shannon Martin-Guzman presented construction and service updates on the 8,000-mile MMBN, covering statewide progress as well as region-specific activity in California’s Northern Region, including communities such as Shingletown, Fort Bidwell, and Cedarville. The presentation included community-level construction timelines and an overview of available network services for ISPs looking to connect to the network.

As more of the MMBN becomes operational, CDT is increasing outreach like this to connect directly with ISPs and show them how they can benefit from the State’s network. Many unserved and underserved communities have lacked a middle-mile backbone to connect to, leaving ISPs without a path to reach these communities. As segments of the network come online, that path now exists, giving ISPs a way to serve these communities for the first time.

The session featured thoughtful discussion and shared experiences among participants, reflecting a continued regional commitment to expanding broadband access and building workforce pathways across Northern California.

MMBI Executes New Hut Lease Agreements Across California

As the MMBN continues to expand across California, securing land for network huts has required the State to get creative. Huts must be placed roughly every 50 miles to keep the network running, but not every stretch of route has space available on state right-of-way. When that’s the case, CDT partners with cities, municipalities, state agencies, and private landowners to find a solution.

That approach is paying off. Of the 18 huts that require a lease agreement, CDT has now signed more than half, with several more in progress. Since the program’s last update in April, new agreements have been executed with the City of Jackson in Amador County, the City of Taft and the Arvin Community Services District in Kern County, the District of Agricultural Affairs in Turlock, and private landowners in Pioneer and Exeter. CDT expects to finalize the remaining agreements in the coming weeks.

Every hut plays a critical role in keeping the network operational by keeping the broadband signals strong and reliable, turning miles of fiber into a system capable of serving homes, schools, and businesses across California. Learn more about the critical role huts play in the operations of the MMBN.

Installation Updates as of June 29

The MMBI continues to make progress across the state. Below is a snapshot of the network’s status as of June 2026:

MMBI by the Numbers

Total network miles: 8,209

All 58 counties reached

Miles in preconstruction phase: 2,660

Miles in installation phase: 5,127

Miles Ready-to-Connect: 423

9 tribal partnerships and engagements

Of the entire network, 423 miles are currently ready to connect, 5,127 miles are in installation, and 2,660 miles remain in preconstruction.

Of the 8,209-mile network, 5,549 miles have gone to construction, of which 1,697 miles are currently in construction. 3,429 miles of fiber have been completed, and 423 miles are operational.

Breakdown of Updates as of June 2026:

Joint Build & Lease Highlights:

  • Arcadian recently started installation on:
    • 78 miles along State Route 101 in various counties
    • 40 miles along Interstate-680 in Alameda and Contra Costa County
    • 10 miles along Interstate-5 in Sacramento County

Hut Highlights:

MMBI now has 43 hut sites in construction:

  • As of May, 32 huts are under construction in various counties.
  • In June, 11 huts started construction in Mendocino, San Joaquin, Merced, Santa Clara, San Bernardino, Plumas, Shasta, and Siskiyou counties.

Last Mile Program Update

California Advanced Services Fund (CASF)

Upcoming Broadband Grant Opportunities

Four CASF grant programs have upcoming application windows. Interested entities can prepare to apply to these programs: 

For the most up to date information, please visit the California Advanced Services Fund website. 

Over $18.2 Million for Broadband Infrastructure, Regional Planning, and Digital Inclusion Projects Across California

The CPUC approved over $18 million supporting broadband infrastructure, regional broadband planning, and digital equity programs across California (June 2026 press release).

The CPUC awarded these CASF grants on June 11, 2026:

  • Nearly $15 million for four Broadband Infrastructure projects in Plumas, Sierra, and Lassen counties.
  • More than $3 million for Broadband Consortia grants to six organizations.

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program   

California awaits updates from the NTIA about approval of the state’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Final Proposal for awards to applicants selected through the BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process.

For the most up to date information, please visit the California BEAD Final Proposal webpage.

Broadband Affordability Update

Digital Divide Grant Program

The CPUC approved approximately $200,000 on June 11, 2026, for three Digital Divide Grant Program projects to help underserved communities access technology and digital literacy resources in the Central Valley.

To learn more, please visit the CPUC’s Digital Divide Grant Program webpage and press release: CPUC Approves Over 18 Million for Broadband Infrastructure.   

State Digital Equity Plan Updates

June Digital Equity Community of Practice Recap

Thanks to all the digital inclusion partners and stakeholders who attended the June Digital Equity Community of Practice. This month featured a Digital Equity Data Refinement Panel with Kat Zigmont (CETF), Patrick Messac (East Bay Broadband Consortium), and Aaron Schill (NDIA).

CPUC provided updates on the California LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot Program and shared Outreach Flyers in English, Spanish, and Chinese. CDT shared updates on the Digital Inclusion Partnerships, upcoming grant opportunities and community feedback. 

Register for the next Community of Practice on Thursday, July 30 at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom.

If you missed this meeting, please find past meeting recordings, presentations, and minutes on Broadband for All: Past Events. 

Tools and Resources

Digital Equity Resource Finder

California’s Digital Equity Resource Finder is a statewide tool that helps residents find digital inclusion programs right in their communities, such as assistance in enrolling affordable home internet, obtaining free or low-cost devices, digital skills training, and more. The Resource Finder is searchable by location and updated by organizations across the state. Know someone who needs support getting connected? Send them to the Digital Equity Resource Finder. 

Help promote the Digital Equity Resource Finder using email, newsletter, and social media templates in the Outreach Toolkit.

Low-Cost Offer Finder Tool

To find affordable broadband service and computing devices, CDT has partnered with Everyone On 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. 

Broadband for All Portal Funding Finder

The funding finder tracks broadband deployment, adoption, and digital literacy funding opportunities as they become available. Find these opportunities here.

Upcoming Events

**Find materials from past events. See future calendar events.

DateTimeEventLocations and Links
Friday, July 17, 202610:00 am – 12:00 pmMiddle-Mile Advisory Council Meeting (Hybrid)Sacramento County Administration Center 700 H St., 1st Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
Meeting Details
Friday, July 24, 20269:30 am – 11:30 amCalifornia Broadband Council Meeting (Hybrid)
Sacramento County Administration Center 700 H St., 1st Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
Zoom Webinar
Thursday, July 30, 202610:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Digital Equity Community of Practice
(Virtual)		Register on Zoom

Job Opportunities

The California Department of Technology is hiring across many teams to support Broadband for All. Apply using the link below.

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