What you need to know: California continues to close the digital divide with the state on track to surpass 3,000 miles of broadband network construction and expansion by the end of the year. New partnerships were signed in both Northern California and Southern California in recent weeks.

SACRAMENTO - By the end of this year, more than 3,000 miles of the backbone “middle mile” broadband network will be under construction and expansion, paving the way to connect millions of Californians to high-speed internet. This publicly funded, owned and open-access network is set to be the nation’s largest. 

The California Department of Technology (CDT) recently sealed two more joint-build agreements with the Karuk Tribe in the northern part of the state and the Gateway Cities Council of Governments in the southern part of the state. These joint-build partnerships pave the way for 46 miles across county and tribal lands and a 73-mile stretch of network in southeast Los Angeles County, connecting 26 cities, many of them historically underserved communities.

Expanding  the state’s broadband network is a key part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s build more, faster agenda delivering infrastructure upgrades across the state. Find projects building your community at build.ca.gov. 

We are building the nation’s largest open-access broadband network of its kind to ensure all Californians have access to reliable, high-speed internet. Our historic investments not only set California on track to thrive in the digital world, it provides the foundation for our economy and our workers to flourish.  - Governor Gavin Newsom

No matter where you live, access to reliable and affordable internet is essential to life in the 21st Century. The partnership with the Karuk Tribe and Gateway Cities Council of Governments combines grassroots planning with state resources to ensure the middle-mile broadband network enables locally planned last-mile broadband infrastructure projects.

“We are entering into an era of co-management where work together with our state partners to manage these lands which requires an adaptive process,” said Karuk Tribe Chairman Russell Attebery. “The Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative is an integral part of that process. Broadband is not just public safety and education, but also a life-changing instrument and we are partnering with the state to ensure that the next generations of the Karuk people can survive and have a better quality of life.”

“Low-income communities are behind technologically – and business as usual has left communities in several areas of California with a digital divide,” said Vilma Cuellar-Stallings, Board President Gateway Cities Council of Governments and Paramount City Councilwoman. “We are grateful that the California Department of Technology worked with the cities in Southeast Los Angeles County to narrow our digital divide and that of communities like ours, bringing high-speed fiber optic access to underserved Californians.”

“We are building critical broadband infrastructure across the state to ensure a California where everyone has reliable access to the internet,” said California State Chief Information Officer and CDT Director Liana Bailey-Crimmins. “We are grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and our state and local partners working with us to close the digital divide.”

Middle mile by the numbers

- 2,700 miles under construction now, jumping to 3,000 in just the next three weeks

- 10 Tribal joint-build partnerships and engagements

- All 58 counties reached

- 7,233 miles in lease/purchase partnership

- 4,000 miles under construction by Spring 2025 

Building the backbone for broadband 

The Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative ensures that California has a resilient, open-access broadband network enabling communities to connect to high-speed internet for generations to come. Roughly one in five Californians do not have access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet. Once complete, funding for last mile projects  will support internet connections from middle mile lines to homes and businesses, as well as efforts to ensure individuals can afford broadband service where it already exists.

The Newsom Administration has invested record amounts to support the construction of the middle mile network. CDT is the lead state agency for planning and constructing the middle-mile with Caltrans and the California Public Utilities Commission playing key roles. Local governments have played a crucial role by leveraging their local planning and funding to fast-track construction.

With over 2,700 miles of active installation, California remains ahead of schedule to deliver about 8,000 miles of broadband fiber, enabling more affordable and reliable broadband access for many of California’s most underserved communities.