Broadband for All Update
November 2025
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
Tech Exchange Celebrates its 30th Anniversary
On October 2, Tech Exchange celebrated their 30th Anniversary, a significant milestone event honoring three decades of advancing digital equity, innovation and community empowerment.
CDT Deputy Director Scott Adams was among the guest speakers who spoke to the transformative power of technology access and the continued need for collaboration in closing the digital divide.
For more information, visit Tech Exchange website.
LA County Hosts Digital Opportunity Summit for Digital Inclusion Week
In celebration of National Digital Inclusion Week (DIW), the California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) Workforce Integration Network (WIN) through the Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program, and the County of Los Angeles Internal Services Department (ISD) co-hosted the Digital Advancement and Opportunity Regional Summit.
More than 150 University faculty, students, staff, and regional multi-sector leaders came together with a shared purpose of bridging the digital divide and strengthening pathways to economic mobility through digital inclusion.
The Summit catalyzed regional collaboration around the Digital Equity Roadmap, a three-year action plan, which will ensure that every Los Angeles County resident has access to the internet, devices, digital skills training, and the support needed to participate in society, democracy, and the 21st-century economy. By co-designing a digital future across collaborative cross-sector partnerships, connectivity and technology open possibilities for each resident to live, learn, play, and work.
For more information regarding the County’s Roadmap, please email IBCC@isd.lacounty.gov. For more details on CSUDH WIN’s digital equity and workforce development activities, please email workforce@csudh.edu.
Bay Area Leaders Gather for Digital Inclusion Summit
On October 30, the 2025 Bay Area Digital Inclusion Summit convened a diverse group of 160 leaders committed to closing the digital divide.
Hosted by the SF Tech Council, the event included keynotes, panels, and sessions on topics ranging from the role of AI in nonprofits, government, and workforce development, to innovative approaches to digital literacy, expanding internet access and device distribution, cybersecurity and scam prevention, and advancing digital health initiatives. Throughout the day, attendees stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration and community input in advancing digital inclusion.
Digital Device Access and Skills Trainings for Rural Families
The nonprofit Yüda Ayüda is launching Cafecito y Computadoras, a bilingual digital skills and AI literacy training program for over 300 rural and working-class families in Stanislaus County.
Low-income residents will receive a free device upon completion of the eight-hour course, integrating the BUILD framework, which stands for Build, Understand, Invest, Link, Develop.
The organization founded in July 2024 by Latinas Daisy Mayorga, a computer scientist, and Karlha Arias, a rural community activist, aims to ensure that technology access and digital skills access doesn’t leave underserved communities behind. The nonprofit is supported by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Stanislaus Community Foundation’s Adelante Fund.
For more information on Free devices and AI literacy for rural families in Stanislaus| Modesto Bee. Residents interested in signing up visit: www.yuda.io/basics.
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 attending the Q4 California Broadband Council Meeting
The California Broadband Council (CBC) convened on October 24, 2025 at Covered California. This meeting featured a Broadband for All Year in Review, multiple Member Showcases on the CPUC’s Lifeline Broadband Pilot Program, CDT’s California Digital ID Project, CETF’s DigitalLearn and California Green Tech Initiative, and CDE’s AI in K-12 Schools. The agenda also included a Community Spotlight featuring the non-profit Waskawiwin’s Tribal Broadband Bootcamps.
Please note that the next CBC meeting will take place on January 23, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. at a new location in the Sacramento County Administration Center and on Zoom. Find meeting details on CBC website.
To find past meeting recordings, presentations, and minutes, access Broadband for All: Past Events.
Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative Update
Digital 395 Electronics Installation Nears Completion
The California Department of Technology (CDT) is preparing to activate the 423-mile Digital 395 route recently acquired from the California Broadband Cooperative. It will be the first operational segment of the Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN). CDT will begin delivering service to tribal communities and local partners in the Eastern Sierra now that all 11 hub locations are complete along the U.S. 395 corridor.
The Bishop Paiute Tribe is expected to be the first to benefit. CDT is working closely with the Tribe’s technology leadership to connect directly to the middle-mile network. This partnership accelerates the Tribe’s broadband timeline. CDT is also engaging with more tribes along the route to extend internet connectivity across the region.
State Breaks Ground on New Network Huts to Advance Middle-Mile Broadband
In October, the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI) reached another key milestone. CDT and its construction partner, American Dark Fiber (ADF), broke ground on the first set of network huts that will house the electronics needed to operate the middle-mile broadband network.
Of the 128 total huts ADF will be constructing, ADF broke ground on the first five huts in October, with an additional 13 planned for construction before the end of the year. Once installed, these durable, climate-controlled structures will serve as backbone support points that house electronics and signal amplifiers for the MMBN.
Q4 Middle-Mile Advisory Committee Meeting
The Q4 Middle-Mile Advisory Committee (MMAC) meeting was held on October 17, 2025, at the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors building and online via Zoom. The Committee heard the latest updates on the MMBI from CDT and its partners at Caltrans and GoldenStateNet (GSN). The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) also provided updates on the last-mile programs that focus on last-mile connections to the MMBN.
During the meeting, CDT highlighted the progress of the MMBI, sharing construction updates and operational milestones. In addition, CDT shared a video highlighting MMBI progress and project partnerships across the state. The recordings, transcripts, and presentation, will be available on the Past Meeting Resources page on the MMBI website in the coming weeks.
Closing Out the Year: Q4 Stakeholder Engagement
CDT hosted its final quarterly Stakeholder Engagement Meeting of the year on October 31, 2025. These sessions are designed for stakeholders and partners to ask questions and receive project updates. For more information about these meetings, you can contact CDT by sending an email to middlemile@state.ca.gov.
Installation Updates
The MMBI is making significant progress across the state. Approximately 4,361 miles have gone to installation through CDT’s joint build, IRU/lease, purchase partnerships, and Caltrans construction. Here is the breakdown of updates as of October 2025:
Caltrans Construction Highlights:
Caltrans continues to move from planning to installation on approximately 246 miles of the MMBN as projects move from pre-construction to installation. Installation started this month for the following two segments:
- Approximately 2 miles in San Diego County along State Route 67
- Approximately 2 miles in San Diego County along State Route 163
Joint Build & Lease Highlights:
American Dark Fiber (ADF) Project: Installation from ADF has also made substantial progress. Installation started this month for the following two segments:
- Approximately 5 miles in Calaveras County along State Route 4.
- Approximately 2 miles (Gateway Cities segment) in Los Angeles County along local roads.
ADF Hut Highlights:
- Construction started on 5 huts in Los Angeles County.
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Updates
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD)
Please visit the BEAD Subgrantee Selection webpage regularly for the latest timeline and program updates. Additional information is available in the BEAD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) v9 and BEAD Events webpage.
Last Mile Program Update
California Advanced Services Fund (CASF)
Keep in mind key application deadlines for the following:
- Broadband Adoption Account – January 1, 2026
- Broadband Public Housing Account – January 1, 2026
- Tribal Technical Assistance Grant Program – January 1, 2026
The Tribal Technical Assistance Grant Program makes grants available to assist California Tribes with broadband planning, engineering studies, and other activities eligible for technical assistance. The program received three applications in the most recent grant cycle that was open through October 1, 2025. Find more information on the Tribal Technical Assistance Grant Program webpage.
Federal Funding Account
The CPUC’s last mile Federal Funding Account Round 2 application window closed on June 2, 2025. Round 2 was held for the six counties of Calaveras, Contra Costa, Inyo, Monterey, Orange, and Trinity. The CPUC received 72 applications for approximately $600 million in grant requests. The grant team is conducting a holistic review and evaluation of these applications. Award updates are expected by the end of the year.
Visit the Federal Funding Account Application Resources and 2025 Data and Public Map webpages for more information.
Broadband Affordability Update
California LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot Program
The CPUC’s new LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot Program is a three-year, technology-neutral pilot for eligible households to apply LifeLine subsidies to any internet plan that meets minimum service standards. California LifeLine has provided affordable voice service to Californians for years, and this pilot program will help close the broadband affordability gap that limits access to essential online resources.
The Home Broadband Pilot Program is launching in 2026 and will offer the following minimum service standards and subsidy amounts:
- Minimum speeds of 100/20 Mbps and 1,280 GB usage per month
- Subsidies of $20/month for broadband ($30 when bundled with voice)
- Up to $39 reimbursement per year for new connections
California LifeLine Foster Youth Program
The CPUC has expanded the California LifeLine Foster Youth Program, improving digital inclusion and communications access for current and former foster youth statewide. Learn more about the program changes at California LifeLine Foster Youth Program (press release: CPUC Expands Access to Communications for California Foster Youth).
Broadband Adoption Update
Low-Cost Offer Finder Tool
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.
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.
State Digital Equity Plan Update
October 29 Digital Equity Stakeholder Meeting Recap
Our most recent Digital Equity Stakeholder meeting, featured a presentation and discussion from Tsion Tesfaye from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance to share findings from their recent report, Artificial Intelligence in Digital Skills Trainings. CDT digital inclusion manager provided information on helpful resources existing resources available to partners, we seek feedback on modifications to the digital equity resource finder on the Broadband for All portal. Please be on the lookout for the Digital Equity Resource Finder Data Intake Survey in the coming weeks.
If you missed the briefing, please find past meeting recordings, presentations, and minutes on Broadband for All: Past Events.
We are grateful for the continued engagement and look forward to seeing you at our next briefing on November 19, 2025, at 2pm via Zoom.
Funding Opportunities
Broadband for All Portal Funding Finder
OBDL tracks funding opportunities as they become available and strives to keep the Broadband for All portal up to date with information on broadband deployment, adoption, and digital literacy planning and implementation. Find these opportunities here.
Upcoming Events
**Find materials from past events.
| Date | Time | Event | Locations and Links |
| Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. | Digital Equity Stakeholder Briefing (Virtual) | Zoom |
| Friday, January 17, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Middle-Mile Advisory Council Meeting (Hybrid) | Sacramento County Administration Center 700 H St.,1st Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 Meeting Details |
| Friday, January 23, 2025 | 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. | California Broadband Council Meeting (Hybrid) | Sacramento County Administration Center 700 H St., 1st Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 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 CDT Broadband job postings and CPUC job postings.
Visit CalCareers for more information and to apply for open positions.
