Last Mile Federal Funding Account

Last Mile Federal Funding Account, main page

Background

The Federal Funding Account, administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), is a $2 billion grant program for last mile broadband infrastructure projects to connect unserved and underserved Californians. The program was established in accordance with 2021’s Senate Bill 156 (Chapter 112, Statutes of 2021). The Broadband Investments Package fact sheet provides more information on the SB 156 investments.

Federal Funding Account Rules and Guidelines

Entities interested in applying should review Decision D.22-04-055 and its Appendix, which established the Federal Funding Account rules and guidelines.

Application Process

The CPUC will begin accepting applications in Summer 2023. There are multiple steps in the application process, which are:

Federal Funding Account
Application Steps

Step 1: Review the Federal Funding Account website
(You are here)
Step 2: Explore the Public Map
Step 3: Visit the Application Resources Page
Step 4: Register for the Applicant Tool
Step 5: Design and save your draft project
in the Applicant Tool
Step 6: Apply in the Grant Portal (Summer 2023)

Then...
Connect California!

Federal Funding Account Public Map

The updated interactive Federal Funding Account Public Map shows eligible unserved locations for the Federal Funding Account, incorporating feedback from throughout California. Members of the public, public entities, and communications providers are welcome to contribute feedback on the eligible areas.

Resources

The Broadband Factors for Last Mile Connectivity report presents considerations based on best practices and industry standards regarding network design and technical criteria for last mile providers interconnecting with middle-mile networks. The analysis includes considerations from the public comments filed with the CPUC on middle-mile locations and network characteristics.
Webinar: Last Mile Broadband - CPUC Funding Programs to Close the Digital Divide | Recording | Presentation
California Annual Collected Broadband Data
Frequently Asked Questions about the FFA Account

Stay Updated

This webpage will be continually updated with program information. To receive updates on the Federal Funding Account program, sign up using the “Statewide Broadband Updates” form available on the right side of this webpage.

Key program documents will also be provided to the Broadband Deployment proceeding (Rulemaking 20-09-001) and the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) proceeding (Rulemaking 20-08-021) service lists

Contact Us

Email questions about the Last Mile Federal Funding Account to federalfundingaccount@cpuc.ca.gov.

Last Mile Federal Funding Account