Broadband for All Update.

October 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

Celebrating Digital Inclusion Week

Digital Inclusion Week, from October 4-10 this year, is a moment to recognize the people and partnerships working every day to close the digital divide and acknowledge the work that remains. In California, the Broadband for All initiative and the State Digital Equity Plan keep us focused on expanding high-speed internet access, improving affordability and access to devices, and providing digital skills and training. Digital inclusion means ensuring communities have the access, tools, and skills needed to participate and thrive in today’s digital world. CDT is committed to digital equity by providing free digital tools, training, and resources to communities across California with the support of our Digital Inclusion Partnerships. This access is essential for participating in education, employment, healthcare, and government services, and for staying connected with family. To learn more about California’s statewide broadband and digital equity efforts, visit: Broadband for All.

To access free digital inclusion resources, visit Digital Inclusion Partnerships | Broadband for All

Familias Empoderadas: Addressing Digital Generational Barriers in the Central Valley

Familias Empoderadas, a non-profit organization located in Fresno, is combating digital access challenges through its Bridges Generation program, where youth teach basic technology to older adults, while elders share cultural knowledge and family traditions. These digital barriers stem from multiple complex systems, such as seniors who struggle with enrollment steps, families who face language barriers without multilingual support, and students in rural areas who lack reliable home internet for schoolwork. Most recently, Familias Empoderadas obtained access to free resources offered through the state’s Digital Inclusion Partnerships to empower the Fresno community to obtain access to the Northstar assessment and digital literacy platform to support residents in English and Spanish.

To learn more, visit: https://www.familiasempoderadas.org/ 

SF Tech Council hosting 2026 Bay Area AccessTech Summit: Exploring the Future of Digital Access and Ethical AI practices

The SF Tech Council will host the 2026 Bay Area AccessTech Summit on October 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in San Francisco. This in-person event will bring together nonprofit organizations, government agencies, funders, workforce professionals, and community leaders to explore emerging challenges and opportunities in digital inclusion. Discussions will focus on digital accessibility, workforce development, scams and fraud prevention, sustainable funding, and strategies to bridge the digital divide. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in an AI for Nonprofits Workshop, featuring practical sessions on ethical AI adoption, grant writing and fundraising, cybersecurity, and data analysis.

Learn more about the 2026 AccessTech Summit

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

Q4 California Broadband Council Meeting on October 23

The next California Broadband Council (CBC) meeting will take place on Friday, October 23 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

MMBI Joins County IT Leaders at CCISDA Fall Conference

CDT joined county technology leaders from across California’s 58 counties at the 2026 California County Information Services Directors Association (CCISDA) Fall Conference, held September 13–16 in Monterey. This year’s theme, “Surfing the Next Wave of Government IT,” brought together county CIOs, information security leaders, network managers, and other technology professionals to collaborate, share best practices, and explore emerging technologies and services.

CDT participated as an exhibitor, giving the MMBI team the opportunity to speak directly with county representatives about California’s open-access broadband network, available services, and opportunities to connect to the network. CDT’s broader presence also highlighted other technology services available to government agencies, including Poppy, California’s secure, state-built generative AI platform. State CIO and CDT Director, Chris Given, also served as a keynote speaker.

Engaging directly with county technology leaders helps local governments understand how the statewide network can support their broadband and infrastructure goals. As more counties, internet service providers (ISPs), tribes, municipalities, and public institutions explore ways to use the network, California’s middle-mile investment continues to lay the groundwork for last-mile connections that bring affordable, reliable, high-speed internet closer to communities across the state.

Making the Mission Possible: MMBI Heads to MISAC’s Largest Conference Yet

Mackenzie Shea, MMBI’s Business Manager,  also attended the 2026 Municipal Information Systems Association of California (MISAC) Annual Conference, which took place September 27–30 in Monterey. This year’s event, themed “IT Makes the Mission Possible,” was anticipated to be MISAC’s largest conference to date, bringing together information technology professionals from cities and other public agencies throughout California to exchange ideas, learn from their peers, and explore technologies that can strengthen local government services.

The MMBI Team also used the conference as another opportunity to engage directly with municipal technology leaders, increase awareness of California’s open-access broadband network, and discuss the services and connection opportunities available through the network. These conversations matter as cities and other local agencies plan their broadband, infrastructure, and connectivity needs for the years ahead.

By bringing information about the network directly to local-government technology professionals, MMBI is helping communities understand how the state’s middle-mile infrastructure can support their own connectivity goals, building affordable pathways for broadband providers, municipalities, and public institutions to extend the benefits of California’s broadband investment statewide.

Closing Out the Year: Q4 Middle-Mile Advisory Committee Meeting Set for October 16

The final quarterly Middle-Mile Advisory Committee (MMAC) meeting of the year will be held on October 16, 2026, at the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors building and via Zoom. The Committee will hear the latest updates on MMBI from CDT and its partner at Caltrans. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will also provide updates on the last-mile programs it administers to support last-mile connections to MMBN.

This quarter’s meeting will close out the year with a look at where the network stands, including miles constructed and ready to connect by year-end. The statewide readiness map and Federal Funding Account (FFA) overlays presented will offer a clear view of where the network is becoming usable for customers and last-mile partners.

More information about the MMAC, including how to join and submit public comment, can be found on the Meetings page.

Closing Out the Year: Q4 Stakeholder Engagement Meeting Set for October 30

CDT will host its final quarterly Stakeholder Engagement meeting of the year on October 30, 2026. These meetings are designed for stakeholders and partners to get project updates and provide an open venue to ask questions tailored to their respective interests in the program.

As the year winds down, this session offers stakeholders a chance to hear where the network stands heading into 2027 and to raise questions directly with the team leading the work. For more information about these meetings, you can contact MMBI by sending an email to middlemile@state.ca.gov.

Installation Updates as of mid-September

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

MMBI by the Numbers

  • Total network miles: 8,217
  • All 58 counties reached
  • Miles in preconstruction phase: 2,480
  • Miles in installation phase: 4,550
  • Miles Ready-to-Connect: 1,179
  • 9 tribal partnerships

Breakdown of Updates as of September 2026:

    Hut Highlights:

    MMBI now has 71 hut sites in construction:

    • As of August, 61 huts were under construction in various counties.
    • In September, 10 huts started construction in Stanislaus, Siskiyou, Alameda, Mariposa, Mendocino, Lassen, and Solano 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 was approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on July 17, 2026. CPUC unanimously ratified the plan on September 17, 2026, which allows California to proceed with signing an agreement with the federal government and then begin funding approved projects.

    California will award approximately $1.86 billion in BEAD last-mile broadband funding to more than 80 approved projects, pursuant to the federal process. Around 270,000 locations will be served by broadband infrastructure projects funded by BEAD, and the majority of locations will use fiber optic technology.

    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 CPUC programs: 

    The CPUC’s Digital Divide Grant Program is also accepting applications until October 30, 2026. The Digital Divide Grant Program Round 4 Informational Flyer

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

    Last Mile Federal Funding Account

    Grants from the Last Mile Federal Funding Account support broadband infrastructure projects across California where reliable high-speed service is needed most. Learn about how the Yurok Tribe created its own network through the Yurok Telecommunications Corporation (YTEL) with CPUC last mile funding in Northwestern California, one of the state’s most digitally disadvantaged regions. YTEL and the CPUC Work Together to Build Tribal Broadband Connectivity (9/16/26)

    Broadband Affordability Update

    Disaster Relief for California LifeLine Customers  

    California LifeLine customers will now have access to affordable essential communications services following certain emergency declarations, when the disaster disrupts or degrades utility service for more than 24 hours. CPUC Approves Permanent Disaster Protections for California LifeLine Customers (9/17/26)

    LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot Program 

    The California LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot Program continues outreach to customers and internet providers. The program was launched in January 2026 to improve broadband affordability in California. Eligible customers may apply the California LifeLine subsidy to either a $20 monthly discount for standalone broadband or $30 for broadband bundled with (wireline or wireless) voice service from the same provider.

    Participating providers can be found by zip code with this search tool: Provider Search – California LifeLine. More information is on the CPUC’s California LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot Program webpage.

    State Digital Equity Plan Updates

    September Digital Equity Community of Practice Recap 

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

    • CDT’s spotlighting of Community Updates & Digital Equity Ecosystem Event Calendar
    • Digital Literacy Assessment & Skills Training Platform Access
      • Kat Zigmont, Senior Vice President, California Emerging Tech Fund (CETF)
      • Theresa Sladek, Strategic Partnerships & Northstar Business Development Manager, Literacy Minnesota
      • Erin Lorandos, Philanthropy Associate, Human-I-T
    • Devices and Expanding & Individual Device Ownership Ecosystem
      • Kat Zigmont, Senior Vice President, California Emerging Tech Fund (CETF)
      • AJ Middleton, Senior Vice President of Impact, Human-I-T

    Additionally, CPUC provided updates on the California LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot Program and the bundled services offered. CDT also shared updates on the Digital Inclusion Partnership Tools and Resources Sign-Up Form, and upcoming grant opportunities.

    Find past meeting recordings, presentations, and minutes on Broadband for All: Past Events. 

    Register for the next Community of Practice on Thursday, October 29 at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom.

    Tools and Resources

    Free Digital Inclusion Resources Available Across California

    CDT is collaborating with nonprofit partners to provide free digital inclusion tools, training, and services to community-based organizations across California. This effort aims to strengthen the digital capacity of local and tribal governments, libraries, schools, nonprofits, and other organizations that support residents directly.

    Through this initiative, organizations can access a variety of offerings, including digital inclusion program management training, staff digital navigation training, digital literacy assessment tools, and AI skills development. These resources are designed to expand equitable access to technology and increase digital opportunity statewide.

    If your organization is ready to advance community digital inclusion efforts, we encourage you to complete the Digital Tools and Resources Sign-Up Form to be connected with available services.

    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, 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
    Thursday, October 29, 202610:30 am – 12:00 pmDigital 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.