CPUC Approves Nearly $32 Million to Expand Broadband Access, Digital Skills, and No-Cost Internet for Californians
SAN FRANCISCO – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today approved nearly $32 million in California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) grants to expand high-speed internet access, bring free broadband to affordable housing residents, and help thousands of Californians gain the digital skills needed to participate in today’s online world.
The funding includes broadband infrastructure projects in rural communities, no-cost broadband infrastructure for publicly supported housing developments, and digital literacy and broadband adoption programs that will help connect more Californians to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, government services, and emergency information.
“The investments we approved today demonstrate the breadth of California’s Broadband For All initiative,” said CPUC President John Reynolds. “We are taking a comprehensive approach to overcoming the infrastructure barriers, affordability challenges, and educational gaps that contribute to the digital divide.”
Investing in Broadband Infrastructure
The CPUC approved up to $24 million in CASF Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account funding for three Frontier California Inc. fiber projects currently serving 590 unserved homes in Fresno, Merced, Plumas, and Tulare counties.
The projects include:
- Merced Dos Palos Project: Up to $14.8 million to serve 289 unserved locations in Fresno and Merced counties.
- Plumas Greenville Project: Up to $3.45 million to serve 187 unserved locations in Plumas County, supporting continued recovery and communications resilience following the Dixie Fire.
- Tulare Central Project: Up to $5.75 million to serve 114 unserved locations in Tulare County.
Together, the projects will deploy fiber-optic broadband capable of delivering reliable, high-speed internet to communities where broadband service has been unavailable or limited. Income-eligible households will also have access to affordable broadband options, including participation in the CPUC’s California LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot, once the projects are complete.
Bringing Free Broadband to Affordable Housing
The CPUC also approved up to $595,911 from the CASF Broadband Public Housing Account to install broadband infrastructure in four affordable housing developments serving 315 residential units in Contra Costa, Madera, Merced, and Santa Barbara counties.
The projects will install Wi-Fi and broadband infrastructure capable of providing at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds at:
- Maple Meadows I in Chowchilla
- La Vista Apartments in Concord
- River Glen in Livingston
- Mariposa Townhomes in Orcutt
Residents will receive free broadband service, improving access to telehealth, online education, employment opportunities, government services, and public safety information.
Expanding Digital Skills and Broadband Adoption
The CPUC also approved up to $7.26 million in CASF Broadband Adoption Account grants for 10 projects that will help thousands of Californians get connected and to confidently use the internet.
The funding supports:
- Eight digital literacy projects that will provide training for more than 2,600 participants.
- Two statewide call center projects that will help connect more than 29,000 households to affordable broadband service.
The projects will serve communities across Fresno, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Clara counties, as well as statewide, with a focus on low-income households, seniors, students, farmworkers, and other communities facing barriers to broadband adoption.
“Closing the digital divide means more than building broadband. Californians need to be able to access it, afford it, and have the skills to use it. These investments do all three, connecting unserved communities, providing free broadband to families in affordable housing, and expanding digital and AI skills,” said Commissioner Christine Harada. “From Los Angeles students to rural communities, we’re helping ensure every Californian can participate in our digital economy.”
Program Background
Today’s actions continue California’s Broadband for All initiative by supporting locally driven projects that expand connectivity while strengthening economic opportunity, public safety, and digital access in rural and tribal communities.
More Information
- Proposal Approved (T-17926)
- Proposal Approved (T-17927)
- Proposal Approved (T-17928)
- California Advanced Services Fund
- CPUC Broadband Implementation
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About the California Public Utilities Commission
The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov for more information.