CPUC Provides Grant Funding For Digital Inclusion
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in an ongoing commitment to Broadband For All, has approved grants to help advance broadband access and digital literacy across the state.
The CPUC approved $6.7 million in California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Adoption Account grant funding for 21 digital inclusion grants to the following grantees: California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF); City of Lynwood; City of La Puente; Oakland Tech Exchange; Sacred Heart Community Service; and Sourcewise. In addition, on November 16, 2023, the CPUC approved $4.9 million for 65 digital inclusion grants to another 20 grantees. Collectively, these projects will provide digital literacy training to 12,454 participants, broadband access to 14,265 participants, and broadband subscriptions to 30,580 participants, and increase broadband access and digital inclusion in low-income, disadvantaged communities, and other communities facing socioeconomic barriers to broadband adoption.
Highlights from these impactful grants include awards to:
- CETF and community-based organizations for a call center to enroll 20,000 low-income households across California into the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and subscribe them to low-cost broadband internet.
- Shelter Care Resources, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Oxnard, Calif., to provide broadband adoption support services for 150 students and completion of 8 hours or more of digital training for 300 students.
Separately, the CPUC approved $441,374 in grants from the CASF Broadband Public Housing Account to provide wireline and wireless infrastructure and free broadband service to 256 living units of publicly supported housing across the state. On November 16, 2023, the CPUC also approved $22,035 to EAH Inc., for its Mackey Terrace project. The deployment of broadband infrastructure in public housing for the purpose of offering free internet access for low-income Californians will improve public safety by providing enhanced access to government, e-health, and online education opportunities.
Highlights from these impactful grants include awards to:
- Las Palmas Housing and Development Corporation's Tres Lagos Apartments to deploy multiple distribution frame buildouts and interconnections between several residential buildings using single-mode fiber and cat-6 inside-wiring to each residential unit and to Las Palmas’ own 802.11AX wi-fi network for 89 units. This project will serve a low-income multifamily community in Wildomar, Calif.
- EAH Inc.’s Mackey Terrace project will deploy cat-6 cabling to wireless access points throughout the premises. This project will serve 50 units for senior citizens and persons with physical disabilities in Novato, Calif.
“I am pleased to support these grants for public housing broadband infrastructure projects as well as digital literacy, broadband access, and broadband subscription programs across California,” said Commissioner Darcie L. Houck. “In order to close the digital divide, we must build broadband infrastructure and make sure everyone is able to use it. These grants are one step in accomplishing these goals in a manner that will maximize the impact of our investment.”
To learn more about these projects, see:
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The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.