This dashboard provides information on the progress towards the completion of items listed in the Broadband for All Action Plan.
Goal 1: All Californians have high-performance broadband available at home, schools, libraries, and businesses
Action # | Action plan summary | Key parties | Status | More details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Recommend and adopt shared standards among all state grant-funding and related broadband programs. | Lead: California Public Utilities Commission California Department of Education California State Library California Department of Housing and Community Development Any other agency that makes broadband-eligible infrastructure grants. | Completed | Action 1: Recommend and adopt shared standards among all state grant-funding and related broadband programs: a) Define “broadband†with dual definitions: (1) an “unserved†definition of 25/3 Mbps and (2) an “underserved†definition of 100/20 Mbps. These definitions align California with current federal statute and standards. Federal funding benchmarks will be updated accordingly in the coming years. b) Mitigate the problems with federal data. California should evaluate broadband at the serviceable location level to bring greater accuracy and granularity. At the same time, state programs should evaluate definitions of “unserved†and “underserved†with each state funding opportunity to ensure that awardees are best positioned to leverage state funding to pursue competitive federal funding opportunities. Projects eligible for funding should deliver at least 25/3 Mbps to align with national and international standards, and 100/20 Mbps ideally to align with the Governor’s Executive Order. Review broadband funding speed targets for infrastructure subsidies or grants annually in light of national and international trends to ensure California remains competitive. Also review standards in light of federal funding requirements and scoring criteria to ensure that California applicants are able to leverage state funding to unlock federal grant and other funding opportunities. c) Develop criteria for state funding around demonstrated local and tribal government involvement that align with such criteria for federal broadband funding, specifically the Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect and Community Connect programs. Requiring robust demonstrated support will help to make state-funded projects even more competitive to receive funding from federal programs that require significant community support. d) Prioritize funding open access, middle-mile infrastructure, including connections to anchor institutions. 2022 Revision: Revised 1a broadband definitions from “baseline†and “goal†to “unserved†and “underserved†to align California definitions with federal statute, standards, and funding requirements. |
2 | Identify alternative financing opportunities with government and philanthropic partners to maximize funding for new infrastructure. | Lead: Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development California Public Utilities Commission California Department of Technology Social Innovation Director with Governor's Office of Economic Development | Completed | Action 2: Identify alternative financing opportunities with government and philanthropic partners to maximize funding for new infrastructure. The state should work with local governments to explore opportunities for public financing, including but not limited to bond instruments. The state should also engage with active philanthropy organizations to identify areas of shared interest and potential sources of funding to support new broadband deployments in unserved and underserved areas. 2023 Revision: Add key parties: “California Department of Technology and Governor’s Social Innovation Director†Will continue to monitor and refresh funding tracker on portal and add philanthropic funding opportunities. |
3 | Modernize California's universal service programs to effectively support the deployment and ongoing maintenance of broadband networks. | Lead: California Public Utilities Commission | Completed | Action 3: Modernize California’s universal service programs to effectively support the deployment and ongoing maintenance of broadband networks. |
4 | Implement a Dig Smart policy to install conduit as part of any appropriate and feasible state-funded transportation project in strategic corridors. | Lead: California State Transportation Agency | Completed | Action 4: Implement a Dig Smart policy to install conduit as part of any appropriate and feasible state-funded transportation project in strategic corridors, as an incentive for service build-outs to un- and under-connected communities. Dig Smart policies present an opportunity to lower the capital cost of infrastructure deployment and minimize disruptions caused by ongoing or duplicitous construction, both incentivizing and expediting new investment. Wired Broadband Facilities on State Highway Right of Way website |
5 | Improve state encroachment permitting processes and rights-of-way management, as needs or opportunities are identified, to accelerate broadband deployment. | Lead: California State Transportation Agency | Completed | Action 5: Improve state encroachment permitting processes and rights-of-way management as needs or opportunities are identified, to accelerate broadband deployment projects that will serve un- and under-connected communities.   2022 Revision: Revised from “continue improving†to “improve… as needs or opportunities are identified†to reduce inefficiency and potential confusion among stakeholders. Links to Completed Policies: |
6 | Explore various actions to enhance permitting processes at all levels of government through meaningful partnerships. | Lead: California Department of Technology (State, Federal) California Department of Transportation (State) Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (Local) California Emerging Technology Fund (Regional organizations) | Completed | Action 6: Explore various actions to enhance permitting processes at all levels of government through meaningful partnerships. Convene semi-annual meetings with broadband providers and local governments to enhance permitting processes that support the construction of broadband infrastructure and the needs of local governments. In addition, the office should launch a formal partnership with federal agencies to support prioritization of permits for broadband construction through federal land and when permit holders are experiencing delays. 2023 Focus: Continue exploration through SB 717 implementation and ongoing stakeholder feedback and engagement. Host quarterly local permitting meetings. Intergrate into Digital Equity and BEAD Planning. 2022 Revision: Update key parties as follows: “California Department of Technology (Federal, Sate); California Department of Transportation (State); Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Local); California Emergy Technology Fund (Regional organizations)†2022 Progress:
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7 | Identify state property for possible use for broadband infrastructure. | Lead: Department of General Services California Department of Technology California Public Utilities Commission California State Transportation Agency | Completed | Action 7: Identify state property for possible use for broadband infrastructure, based on specific criteria identified by the CPUC, Caltrans and other relevant agencies, to accelerate broadband deployment. 2023 Revision: Revised key parties to include California Department of Technology as co-lead. 2023 Focus: Continue exploration through SB 717 implementation and ongoing stakeholder feedback and engagement. |
8 | Regularly coordinate and convene with jurisdictions implementing next-generation 9-1-1 to expand broadband infrastructure. | Lead: California Office of Emergency Services | In progress | Action 8: Regularly coordinate and convene with jurisdictions implementing next-generation 9-1-1 to expand broadband infrastructure to enhance public safety and disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation capabilities. 2023 Focus: Integrate focus of Action Item into the Essential Services Outcome Area Working Group in the SDEP process. |
9 | Establish standards for network resilience and reliability. | Lead: California Public Utilities Commission In consultation with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services | In progress | Action 9: Establish standards for network resilience and reliability. Recent experiences responding to wildfires throughout the state can be leveraged to identify shortcomings in network resilience and reliability. Analysis of demonstrated gaps can be used to set standards and a timeline for bringing networks throughout the state in line with such goals. Target date: 12/31/2023 2022 Revision: Deleted reference to Middle-Mile and backhaul. Amended to reference “network resilience and reliability†|
10 | Establish clear standards of consumer protection and provisioning of equitable service by providers. | Lead: California Public Utilities Commission | In progress | Action 10: Establish clear standards of consumer protection and provisioning of equitable service by providers. Evaluate the surcharge collections and overall bill impacts, including other, non-public charges, to minimize total customer bill impacts. Examine whether broadband service in underserved and unserved communities is consistent with current licensing requirements. Target date: 12/31/2026 |
Goal 2: All Californians have access to affordable broadband and the devices necessary to access the internet
Action # | Action plan summary | Key parties | Status | More details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | Establish a framework to define essential broadband service affordability standards. | Lead: California Public Utilities Commission | Completed | Action 11: Within the scope of the California Public Utilities Commission's current proceeding, "Order Instituting Rulemaking to Establish a Framework and Processes for Assessing the Affordability of Utility Service," develop a framework to define essential broadband service affordability standards, evaluate those standards relative to other essential service costs, and develop a range of metrics to provide a comprehensive assessment of households' ability to afford essential broadband service. |
12 | Improve the California LifeLine Program by including stand-alone broadband service, and work in partnership with ISPs to encourage participation in the program. | Lead: California Public Utilities Commission | Completed | Action 12: Improve the California LifeLine Program by including stand-alone broadband service, and work in partnership with internet service providers to encourage participation in the program. |
13 | Leverage existing Housing and Community Development programs to provide free broadband service for tenants in newly built housing and publicly subsidized units. | Lead: Department of Housing and Community Development | Completed | Action 13: Leverage existing California Department of Housing and Community Development programs, such as the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program and the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program, to provide free broadband service for tenants in newly built housing. Funding programs could incorporate opportunities for awardees to provide 100/20 Mbps broadband service for free of charge to all tenants in publicly subsidized units. 2023 Focus: Continue and refresh as part of the Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment planning processes. |
14 | Promote existing state contractual vehicles with ISPs and vendors to support cost savings and efficient purchasing of broadband services and equipment. | Lead: Department of General Services California Department of Technology California Department of Education California State Library | Completed | Action 14: Promote existing state contractual vehicles with internet service providers and equipment vendors to support cost savings and efficient purchasing of broadband services and equipment by local public entities, such as school and library districts. Leveraging existing contracts is a resource-efficient strategy to help other public entities acquire affordable broadband services, especially in bulk. 2023 Focus: Integrate focus of Action Item into the Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment planning processes. |
15 | Analyze the needs of aging population for access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband, and identify programmatic and partnership opportunities to meet these needs. | Lead: California Department of Aging California Department of Technology California Public Utilities Commission | Completed | Action 15: Analyze the needs of people ages 60 and older for access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband, and identify programmatic and partnership opportunities to meet these needs. 2023 Focus: Integrate and refresh as part of the Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment planning processes. |
16 | Partner with state agencies and internet service providers to promote, track, and publicly report the progress of adoption of affordable internet services,the Affordable Connectivity Program, and devices throughout the state. | Lead: California Department of Technology California Public Utilities Commission California Government Operations Agency California Department of Public Health California Department of Education California Department of Social Services California Emerging Technology Fund and California State Library with support from all departments listed above, providers, manufacturers, and local government | Completed | Action 16: Partner with state agencies and internet service providers to promote, track, and publicly report the progress of adoption of affordable internet services, the Affordable Connectivity Program, and devices throughout the state. a. Request providers to develop multi-language marketing materials for distribution to under-adopting communities and support dissemination by leveraging existing public programs and campaigns, such as: CalFresh, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), CalWorks, Covered California, public libraries, public housing, and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), investor-owned utility CARES and Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) programs. b. Develop tools for low-income individuals and service organizations to identify and subscribe to affordable broadband plans easily. c. Continue promoting affordable broadband and device offers to: i. Recipients of the National School Lunch program ii. Public library patrons 2023 Focus: Continued consideration will be included in the Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment planning processes. 2023 Revision: Added “state agencies†as partners, and added the “Affordable Connectivity Program†for tracking and publicly reporting progress. 2022 Revision: Revised key parties to include - CA Government Operations Agency, CA Department of Public Health, CA Department of Education, and CA Department of Social Services. |
17 | Provide guidance to local governments and partner with tribal governments to develop broadband strategies and explore options for increasing competition in their communities. | Lead: California Public Utilities Commission | In progress | Action 17: Provide guidance to local governments and partner with tribal governments to develop broadband strategies and explore options for increasing competition in their communities. Specifically, provide guidelines for communities to inventory local infrastructure assets, publish template lease agreements, and make assets available on an open-access basis. Target date: 12/31/2025 2023 Focus: Additional Focus will be included in the Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment planning processes. |
Goal 3: All Californians can access training and support to enable digital inclusion
Action # | Action plan summary | Key parties | Status | More details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
18 | Develop and manage a multi-layer network of digital-inclusion stakeholders to discuss ongoing needs, share resources, and coordinate initiatives. | Lead: California Department of Technology — Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development California Public Utilities Commission Department of General Services, state agencies that work with the local agencies listed above, California Emerging Technology Fund, private and nonprofit sector broadband providers, and local partners | Completed | Action 18: Develop and manage a multi-layer network of digital-inclusion stakeholders to discuss ongoing needs, share resources, and coordinate initiatives. First, leverage California Broadband Council meetings and the GO-Biz broadband funding identification initiative to strengthen partnerships among anchor organizations such as schools, libraries, workforce development boards, and county social service departments. Second, convene local government broadband coordinators and managers quarterly to identify barriers to local programming, new actions undertaken, and tools developed at the local level. Also, regularly convene private and nonprofit sector companies in an effort to understand and predict current and future demand for broadband. Third, convene broadband adoption practitioners, including libraries, nonprofit organizations, and others semi-annually to share best practices and ongoing community needs to innovate and create new digital literacy tools, and develop curriculum and training programs to meet the needs of the workforce, community, and students. 2023 Focus: Continue to expand stakeholder network as part of the Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment planning processes. |
Actions to support all goals
Action # | Action plan summary | Key parties | Status | More details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
19 | Collect more granular and accurate broadband data and leverage this information to build out the public California Interactive Broadband Map. | Lead: California Public Utilities Commission California Department of Food and Agriculture Governor’s Office of Emergency Services | In progress | Action 19: Collect more granular and accurate broadband data and leverage this information to build out the public California Interactive Broadband Map. Collecting and mapping broadband availability data at the home address level will provide internet service providers and local and tribal governments the tools needed to pursue state and federal funding opportunities competitively. It will also enable them to advocate proactively for their eligibility to participate in such programs, by being able to demonstrate a lack of broadband access. Improve the California Interactive Broadband Map by incorporating: existing public broadband assets, geographic boundaries, roads, anchor institutions, public rights-of-way, and fairgrounds. Target date: 12/31/2023 |
20 | Leverage the California Public Utilities Commission's cost model to inform broadband planning and investments, project broadband availability based on existing resources, and inform statewide discussions of additional resources required to achieve our broadband goals. | Lead: California Public Utilities Commission Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development California Department of Technology | Completed | Action 20: Leverage the California Public Utilities Commission's cost model to inform broadband planning and investments, project broadband availability based on existing resources, and inform statewide discussions of additional resources required to achieve our broadband goals. |
21 | Establish a Broadband For All portal to enable easy access to broadband information and tools and serve as a central repository. | Lead: California Department of Technology | Completed | Action 21: Establish a Broadband For All portal to enable easy access to broadband information and tools and serve as a central repository, including: a. A page for the public to submit data to validate or dispute broadband mapping data related to broadband speeds and availability. b. Resources and toolkits specific to broadband planning and implementation. c. Digital inclusion plans, initiatives, and best practices developed by local governments, nonprofits, anchor institutions, and community partners. When possible, entities should include resources that can be replicated or built upon by other entities. d. Digital skills training tools, such as curricula, fact sheets, promotion collateral, and more. e. Information on affordable internet offers and devices, including cost, eligibility, customer service contact information, and instructions on how to sign up. f. State and federal broadband funding opportunities using the grants.ca.gov site, including program status, eligibility requirements, and ability to be leveraged as match for other programs. 2023 Focus: Update at least quarterly and integrate information about the Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment planning processes. March 2022: launch of Broadband for All Portal. |
22 | Identify additional opportunities to provide technical assistance to local governments, Tribes, nonprofits, and their partners to best leverage local, state, federal, and private funding opportunities. | Lead: California Public Utilities Commission California Department of Technology | In progress | Action 22: Identify additional opportunities to provide technical assistance to local governments, Tribes, nonprofits, and their partners to best leverage local, state, federal, and private funding opportunities. This may include supporting the creation of special districts or cooperatives to deploy networks, and providing support in navigating the technical, regulatory, and financial hurdles to deployment. Target date: 12/13/2023 2023 Focus: Integrate focus into the Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment planning processes. 2022 Progress: Tribal Technical Assistance. The CPUC has awarded 55 grants worth more than $4.2 million to 29 tribes for broadband planning. In addition, CPUC staff assisted 33 out of 58 eligible California Tribes in applying to the FCC to receive licenses to use the 2.5 GHz Educational Broadband Spectrum. Tribes can deploy services using the spectrum on their own or partner with a provider or consortium to bring wireless broadband service to their area. |
23 | Form a planning group of all state agencies that oversee any potential infrastructure or broadband adoption funding to meet quarterly to ensure alignment in funding goals and implementation, and to identify existing and new programs that can support Broadband for All. | Lead: Governor's Office Business and Economic Development California Public Utilities Commission California Department of Food and Agriculture California Department of Education California State Library, California Department of Housing and Community Development California Department of Water Resources California Labor and Workforce Development Agency California Department of Social Services California Department of Aging Governor’s Office of Planning and Research California Department of Public Health California Natural Resources Agency California Environmental Protection Agency California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Any other agency with broadband infrastructure and adoption eligible programs | Completed | Action 23: Form a planning group of all state agencies that oversee any potential infrastructure or broadband adoption funding to meet quarterly to ensure alignment in funding goals and implementation, and to identify existing and new programs that can support Broadband for All. The planning group will: a. Allow various agencies to coordinate funding priorities to ensure maximum impact of state funds, maximization of new and existing federal funding opportunities, and that various programs complement one another in meeting the state's broadband goals. b. Explore setting shared standards among state grant programs to prioritize joint infrastructure and adoption projects. c. Explore opportunities to use programs under their jurisdiction to accelerate broadband deployment and to leverage utility infrastructure to increase access to existing fiber and cost-effectively deploy new fiber. d. Identify and facilitate new broadband projects that support precision agriculture and food systems in rural communities. e. Identify ways to increase free or low-cost broadband connectivity at all publicly subsidized housing communities for residential units. f. Include updates from the California Department of Education as it continues leading statewide efforts to ensure that students have computing devices and connectivity necessary for distance learning and online instruction. g. Identify additional opportunities for cross-department partnerships that bring new funding sources together, such as the current initiative by the Labor and Workforce Development Agency and the California State Library that supports access to online training and digital literacy. h. Support issuing guidance on how state agencies and local partners can support digital inclusion via existing federal programs, as has already been happening across departments. i. Support access to broadband in fast-growing, inland parts of the state, as well as facilitate the growth of second offices for established CA companies, new startups, and telework opportunities to reduce vehicle miles traveled consistent with the state's climate commitments. j. Identify and facilitate opportunities to leverage existing infrastructure and communication methodologies established and executed under Vaccine All 58 to provide resources and information on adoption programs directly to all Californians. 2023 Focus: Additional focus will be included in the Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment planning processes. 2022 Revision: Added item j. to reflect the importance of broadband adoption strategies and the potential for leveraging the state’s existing programs for “boots-on-the-ground” outreach. 2022 Revision: Revised key parties to include - CA Department of Public Health, CA Natural Resources Agency, CA Environmental Protection Agency, and CA Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency |
24 | Request that the executive branch entities and constitutional agencies incorporate broadband into their strategic plans. | Lead: California Department of Technology All executive branch state entities (agencies, departments, commissions, etc.), and if they agree, constitutional agencies | Completed | Action 24: Request that the executive branch entities and constitutional agencies incorporate broadband into their strategic plans, and provide broadband priorities to the California Broadband Council annually to ensure effective interagency collaboration. 2023 Focus: Integrate focus into the Digital Equity and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment planning processes. Conduct annual survey of state agencies and departments. |