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CPUC December Broadband Happenings

News from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Thank you to public commenters on the draft Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Initial Proposal. These comments will be considered in revisions to the Initial Proposal that will be submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) by December 27. In early 2024, the CPUC will begin outreach and information sharing related to the BEAD Challenge Process to help stakeholders understand the process before it begins. The Challenge Process is the process for submitting data that a broadband serviceable location should or should not be designated as served, unserved, or underserved for the purpose of BEAD funding eligibility. For more information about this program, please see the CPUC’s BEAD website and California BEAD 5-Year Action Plan.

Funding Opportunities with January 1st Deadlines for Broadband Adoption, Public Housing, and Tribal Technical Assistance Grants Several of the CPUC’s California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) accounts have upcoming grant application deadlines on January 1, 2024. These programs also accept applications during other funding windows as summarized here. The Broadband Public Housing Account provides grants to build broadband networks that will offer free broadband service to residents of low-income communities including but not limited to, publicly supported housing developments, and other housing developments or mobile home parks with low-income residents. Another upcoming opportunity, the Broadband Adoption Account provides funding to increase publicly available or after-school broadband access and digital literacy training programs for communities facing socioeconomic barriers. Tribal Technical Assistance grants assist California Tribes in developing market studies, feasibilities studies, and/or business plans that support their pursuit of improved communications.

Spotlight on Tribal Broadband

The CPUC Broadband Caseworker Team’s Karen Eckersley joined Matt Rantanen and Chris Mitchell at the Tribal Broadband Bootcamp. Ten Tribes participated at the event hosted at the Habermatolel Pomo in Upper Lake. Matt and Chris led three days of intense conversation and instruction on building and owning an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Tribal ISPs were encouraged to attend the Tribal Broadband Bootcamp which focuses on connectivity in Indian Country.

A compilation of Broadband Resources for Tribes in California can be found on this webpage, including Tribal Technical Assistance grants which are described in the Funding Opportunities section above. The CPUC continues to be committed to engaging with Tribes and incorporating Tribal concerns into its regulatory and policy development. The CPUC’s Broadband Caseworker Team acts as a resource to California Tribes — working together to maneuver broadband funding programs and build technical capacity in Tribal communities. Visit the CPUC’s Office of the Tribal Advisor webpage to learn more.

California Unveils Groundbreaking Digital Equity Plan Draft and Invites Public Comment (Comment Period Closes on January 25, 2024) The California Department of Technology (CDT) has released the state's draft Digital Equity Plan, a vitally important step towards ensuring every Californian has equitable access to reap the social and economic benefits of the digital world. More than 50,000 California residents and digital equity partners throughout the state provided input on the draft Plan! Your perspective is extremely valuable in meeting the needs of all Californians. To assist in the further development of the Plan, please submit a public comment: visit the State Digital Equity Plan page to access the draft, then select the public comment form and follow the instructions to share your feedback. Read the draft and leave a public comment.

CPUC Adopts Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Program Rules The Loan Loss Reserve Fund is targeted to begin accepting applications in March 2024. Rules and guidelines for the innovative $750 million broadband financing program were finalized in November (fact sheet). The program provides loans and assists recipients obtain more favorable borrowing rates and terms for infrastructure owned by a public agency, Tribal, or non-profit organization. Unlike the CPUC's last-mile grant programs, the Loan Loss Reserve Fund allows for financing in underserved and served communities and gives extra points to projects that benefit unserved areas. The first application window is planned for March 2024. Learn more and subscribe to program updates in advance of the launch by visiting the Loan Loss Reserve Fund webpage.

Meet with CPUC Broadband Specialists The Broadband Caseworker Team invites local governments, Tribes, and other stakeholders to schedule a thirty-minute consultation. CPUC Caseworkers help communities navigate funding resources and technical questions, with the mission of bringing high speed internet to every location in California. Interested in learning more? Please visit the Broadband Internet Caseworkers website and email us at Broadband.Caseworkers@cpuc.ca.gov to schedule a consultation.

Please share these opportunities with your community!

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