CPUC Finalizes BEAD Plan to Secure Up to $1.86 Billion for Statewide Broadband Expansion
SAN FRANCISCO – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today authorized the submission of California’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Final Proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), moving California one step closer to receiving up to $1.86 billion in federal funding to expand high-speed internet access across the state.
The BEAD Final Proposal outlines how California plans to invest BEAD funds to bring reliable internet service to homes, businesses, and community centers that are currently unserved or underserved. If approved by NTIA, the funding will support broadband projects aimed at reaching communities that currently lack reliable internet service, including rural areas, Tribal lands, and low-income neighborhoods, as outlined in the CPUC’s proposal.
“Our BEAD Final Proposal is a major milestone in California’s work to close the digital divide,” said CPUC President Alice Reynolds. “We are positioning California to secure historic federal funding and bring reliable internet service to communities that have been left behind for far too long.”
California’s BEAD Final Proposal
California’s BEAD Final Proposal builds on an earlier plan already approved by the federal government and includes:
- A list of preliminary broadband projects recommended for funding across the state
- Updated broadband coverage data that reflects public challenges
- A mix of technologies including fiber, cable, fixed wireless, and satellite to reach different types of terrain and communities
- A focus on getting the best value for taxpayers through competitive bidding and cost controls
Together, these projects are expected to reach every eligible BEAD location statewide, expanding internet access to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses.
“The BEAD Final Proposal we are submitting to the federal government will meaningfully close the digital divide,” said Commissioner Darcie L. Houck. “I am pleased that the BEAD Final Proposal will expand service to eligible locations in the state, and that most unserved households in California will receive priority broadband infrastructure that will provide fast, reliable, and affordable service for decades to come.”
Fair and Transparent Process
The BEAD program required California to follow updated federal rules that promote competition and technology neutrality. In response, the CPUC redesigned its selection process to ensure all qualified providers could compete on equal footing, as long as they met federal performance standards for speed and reliability.
Throughout the process, CPUC staff hosted public webinars, office hours, and published detailed guides and FAQs to help applicants understand the rules and participate fairly. The proposal reflects months of public outreach and input, careful review of applications, and a competitive selection process designed to ensure funding goes to cost-effective projects that deliver dependable, high-speed service.
Next Steps
CPUC staff will submit California’s BEAD Final Proposal to NTIA for review. NTIA will either approve the proposal or request revisions to the plan prior to approving. Once NTIA gives final approval, California will be able to move forward with awarding grants and beginning broadband construction projects statewide.
More Information
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About the California Public Utilities Commission
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