Bringing High-Speed Internet to More Californians: Voices from the Frontlines of Broadband Expansion
On December 18, 2025, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved $96 million in Last Mile broadband grants through the state’s Federal Funding Account (FFA). These funds will help build new broadband infrastructure in communities that lack reliable, high-speed internet, from rural mountain towns to Tribal lands and coastal communities.
These investments are part of California’s ongoing Broadband For All effort, bringing affordable, fast internet to households, schools, and small businesses that have long been left behind. The projects will serve nearly 15,000Californians and connect more than 4,500 previously unserved locations across Calaveras, Orange, and Trinity Counties, as well as multi-county partnerships in Humboldt and Los Angeles Counties.
Below are direct voices from grantees - the people and organizations building the networks that will transform everyday life for Californians.
What Grantees Are Saying
📍 AT&T California (Orange County)
📍 AVX Networks (Orange & Los Angeles Counties)
📍 Comcast Cable Communications (Calaveras County)
📍 Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District (Trinity & Humboldt Counties)
Why This Matters
Reliable broadband is no longer a luxury. It’s essential for:
-
Education: students learning from home or accessing online resources
-
Healthcare: telehealth appointments and medical information
-
Public safety: dependable emergency communications
-
Economic opportunity: small business growth and job access
These new FFA grants build on over $1 billion already invested to improve connectivity for more than 2 million Californians, and California plans to continue expanding funding for years to come.
About the Last Mile Federal Funding Account
Established through Senate Bill 156, the Last Mile Federal Funding Account supports the construction of broadband networks where reliable, high-speed internet doesn’t yet exist, helping families, workers, and communities fully participate in today’s digital world.
By Taseen Shamim, Public Information Officer