What you need to know: Advancing the state’s $6 billion effort to build the largest open-access broadband infrastructure network in the nation, the Newsom Administration today announced a major Middle-Mile Broadband groundbreaking in Sacramento County. 

NATOMAS - On August 29, 2024, the Newsom Administration, local officials, and Arcadian Infracom announced the groundbreaking of a crucial segment of California’s Middle-Mile Broadband Network. The Capitol Route groundbreaking in Natomas celebrates California’s work in building the nation’s largest open-access, Middle-Mile Broadband Network.

Today’s groundbreaking is a milestone in a 256-mile route of new open-access broadband fiber spanning from San Jose in Silicon Valley through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Carson City, Nevada. This essential infrastructure spans communities that millions of Californians call home, and is a vital part of California’s comprehensive approach to closing the digital divide.

The Middle-Mile Broadband Network is a key part of Governor Newsom’s build more, faster agenda delivering infrastructure upgrades across the state. You can find more projects supporting your communities at build.ca.gov.

“We’re working in real-time to realize our bold vision of ensuring all Californians have access to high-speed internet, no matter where they come from or how much they make. The Middle Mile Broadband Network is about more than technology - we’re connecting local communities that have for too long been left off the digital map.” - Governor Gavin Newsom

With 1,666 miles of active installation and construction, the California Department of Technology is working to deliver over 8,000 miles of broadband fiber - enabling more affordable and reliable broadband access for many of the most unserved and underserved communities in the state.

“As California continues to make progress on this once-in-a-lifetime infrastructure project, the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative stands as a testament to collaborative partnerships,” said California Government Operations Secretary Amy Tong. “Together with urban, rural, and tribal communities across California, we’re ensuring a robust fiber infrastructure network that connects and unites our state.”

What’s next
In the next three months, the Middle-Mile Broadband Network will kick off construction on 33 segments spanning over 1,590 miles - building toward an estimated 3,256 miles in construction by the end of 2024.

“We continue to advance on our mission to deliver broadband connectivity across California,” said Liana Bailey-Crimmins, State Chief Information Officer and California Department of Technology Director. “Through this historic investment, we are ensuring that more Californians will have access to affordable and reliable internet - a critical component in closing the digital divide.”

This initiative ensures that California has a resilient, open-access broadband network enabling communities to connect to the middle-mile for generations to come.

CPUC and the Last Mile
California’s Middle-Mile Network touches all 58 counties in the state and is designed to support communities developing their local last-mile broadband plans supported by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). This network supports 105 communities that indicated interest in connecting to the Middle-Mile Network with Federal Funding Account applications. This means that each of these communities, no matter when they secure last-mile funding, will be able to plug into the middle-mile ensuring they don’t have to bear the high cost of foundational infrastructure, but can instead jumpstart building their last-mile connections.

Last week, the CPUC announced the sixth round of recommended awardees for last mile broadband projects, including three Tribes, as part of the $2 billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program.