Broadband for All Update.

August 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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Community Spotlight

Sign Up for Free Digital Inclusion Resources!

CDT has partnered with seven nonprofit organizations to provide free digital inclusion tools, services, and training to community-based organizations across the state.

These offerings are intended to support local and tribal governments, libraries, schools, non-profits, and others conducting inclusion activities and providing services to residents. This includes digital inclusion program management training and digital navigation training for staff, access to digital literacy assessment and skills training platforms, Artificial Intelligence training, all designed to promote digital inclusion

We encourage organizations with staff capacity and readiness to take action to complete the Digital Tools and Resources Sign-Up Form to be connected with services.

CPUC Releases Round 4 of Digital Divide Grant Program

The CA Public Utilities Commission Digital Divide Grant Program (DDGP) Round 4 awards up to $200,000 for rural and urban low-income schools and community-based organizations to address broadband gaps, device access, and digital skills. The goal is to bridge the digital divide by providing holistic solutions for schools and communities, including broadband, devices, software and digital skills training. There is $100,000 of funding available for one rural/urban public school and two grants of up to $50,000 each for non-profit Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). The deadline to apply is October 30, 2026.

For more information and to apply, visit: 2026-27 Digital Divide Grant Program Round 4 – California Grants Portal

California Labor & Workforce Development Agency launched AI-Ready California

The California Labor & Workforce Development Agency has launched AI-Ready California, a new micro-credential program offering universal AI literacy education across the state. This initiative, developed in partnership with several key organizations, aims to equip all Californians with foundational AI knowledge. AI-Ready California provides an accessible online learning experience focused on two dimensions Civics & Responsibility, which emphasizes safe and responsible AI use, including privacy and data protection, and Career & Workforce Readiness, which develops practical skills to use AI for productivity and career advancement in an AI-augmented job market.

The pilot program begins in July with 500 participants from the San Diego Community College District and Unemployment Insurance claimants in the RESEA program. These individuals represent diverse backgrounds and will access training through San Diego State University’s Global Campus.

For more information, visit SDSU website.

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

Thank you for tuning into Q3 California Broadband Council Meeting

The last California Broadband Council (CBC) meeting took place on July 24, where CDT, MMBI and CPUC presented on the Broadband for All Action Plan, including progress report of the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, Last Mile programs, Lifeline Home Broadband Pilot Program, and State Digital Equity Plan implementation. The meeting featured a member spotlight from California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) and a community spotlight on North State Planning and Development Collective.

Prepare ahead for our Q4 meeting in the fall by reviewing past recordings, presentations, and minutes in the Broadband for All: Past Events.

Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative Update

Approximately 1,250 Miles and Growing: California’s Middle-Mile Broadband Network Is Open for Business

California’s Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN) took a major step forward, nearly tripling its operational reach and officially opening to customers ready to connect to the MMBN. Governor Gavin Newsom announced this month that the network has grown to nearly 1,250 operational miles, up from 423, now stretching from the Bay Area south to  Los Angeles, east to Barstow, and up Highway 395 to the Oregon border. This milestone was also shared at the July Middle-Mile Advisory Committee (MMAC) meeting, where the newly onboarded network operator reported the operator network team is now fully staffed and running day-to-day operations.

“Reaching operational status is proof that California’s MMBN has moved from construction to commerce,” said California State Chief Information Officer and CDT Director Chris Given. “This network is open for business, and we are ready to connect California.”

Organizations ready to connect can now explore the network’s full range of services, including Dedicated Internet Access, Internet Transit, Ethernet Transport, Private Network and IP-VPN, Wavelength, and Dark Fiber. These services are available to internet service providers, carriers, tribes, municipalities, public institutions, and enterprise customers statewide. To learn more about available services and how to connect, explore the MMBN Service Catalog.

24/7 Operations Are Now Live

As California’s MMBN comes to life, it now has a dedicated team behind it, keeping it running reliably day and night.

As of July 6, CDT’s network operator, Skyline Technology Solutions, officially began managing the network, so the internet stays on for the communities and providers connected to it.

From Planning to Connection: First Service Agreements Signed

Over the past year, MMBI’s Customer Solutions team has been working with 65 Federal Funding Account (FFA) last-mile projects across California to plan when and how they will connect to the MMBN. Now, that planning is turning into action.

In late June, CDT released its Master Service Agreement template for dark and lit fiber and began the next step in its ongoing work with interested FFA grant recipients to put agreements in place. As of this month, CDT has executed agreements supporting eight FFA projects, marking the network’s first customer service agreements.

Each of these agreements represents a community somewhere in California moving closer to open-access, reliable, high-speed internet.

Installation Updates as of mid-July 2026

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

MMBI by the Numbers

Total network miles: 8,209

All 58 counties reached

Miles in preconstruction phase: 2,532

Miles in installation phase: 4,498

Miles Ready-to-Connect: 1,179

9 tribal partnerships and engagements

Breakdown of Updates as of mid-July 2026:

    Hut Highlights:

    MMBI now has 53 hut sites in construction:

    • As of the end of July, 43 huts are under construction in various counties.
    • In July, 10 huts started construction in Mendocino, Fresno, Santa Clara, Ventura, Merced, Fresno, Shasta, Mariposa, and Kern counties.

    Last Mile Program Update

    Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program   

    California’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Final Proposal for awards to applicants selected through the BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process has been approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

    The CPUC issued a draft Resolution T-17920 for comment outlining the revisions made to the state’s BEAD Final Proposal since its original submission on December 19, 2025. This resolution may be considered by the Commission as soon as September 17, 2026.

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

    Grant Opportunities

    Upcoming Broadband Grant Opportunities

    Four California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) grant programs have upcoming application windows. Interested entities can prepare to apply to these California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) programs: 

    Additionally, the CPUC’s Digital Divide Grant Program is accepting applications until October 30, 2026.

    California Advanced Services Fund  

    Grants for Over $125 Million Supporting Broadband Projects Across California 

    In July, the CPUC announced funding for new broadband infrastructure projects spanning 11 counties. These initiatives will expand broadband access in some of California’s most underserved rural and tribal communities. CPUC press releases follow.

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

    Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund

    The Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund helps local agencies, tribes, and nonprofits finance broadband infrastructure costs. The Fund has a new direct loan option for bridge financing and other eligible financing connected with Last Mile Federal Funding Account projects.

    Visit the Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund webpage for the latest information.

    Broadband Affordability Update

    LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot Program 

    The California LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot Program expands affordable broadband access in California. The CPUC provided a program update to the California Broadband Council on July 24, 2026, and the slides are available at Meetings | California Broadband Council.

    To learn more, please visit the CPUC’s California LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot Program web page.

    State Digital Equity Plan Updates

    August Digital Equity Community of Practice Recap 

    Thanks to all the digital inclusion partners and stakeholders who attended the July Digital Equity Community of Practice. For those who missed this meeting, highlights included:

    Additionally, CPUC provided updates on the California LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot Program and outreach flyers in English, Spanish, and Chinese, with additional translations in Korean, Japanese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Braille in development, along with plans to add approximately 10 more languages based on community feedback. CDT shared updates on the Digital Equity Resource Finder and outreach materials, and upcoming grant opportunities.

    Register for the next Community of Practice on Thursday, August 27 at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom.

    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
    Thursday, August 27, 202610:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Digital Equity Community of Practice
    (Virtual)    		Register on Zoom
    Friday, October 16, 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, October 23, 20269:30 am – 11:30 amCalifornia Broadband Council Meeting (Hybrid)
    		Sacramento County Administration Center 700 H St., 1st Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
    Zoom Webinar

    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.