The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved $96 million in grants for broadband infrastructure through the state’s Federal Funding Account. The decision, made on December 18, 2025, aims to expand high-speed internet access to areas that currently lack reliable service. The funding will support new projects in rural mountain towns, Tribal lands, and coastal communities.
These efforts are part of California’s Broadband For All initiative, which seeks to provide affordable and fast internet connections to underserved households, schools, and small businesses. The latest round of grants is expected to benefit nearly 15,000 residents and connect more than 4,500 locations that previously did not have adequate service. Targeted areas include Calaveras, Orange, and Trinity Counties as well as multi-county collaborations in Humboldt and Los Angeles Counties.
Grantees involved in these projects include AT&T California (Orange County), AVX Networks (serving Orange & Los Angeles Counties), Comcast Cable Communications (Calaveras County), and Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District (Trinity & Humboldt Counties).
The CPUC emphasized the importance of reliable broadband for essential services such as education—allowing students to learn from home or access online resources—healthcare via telehealth appointments and information sharing, public safety through dependable emergency communications, and economic opportunity by supporting small business growth and job access.
According to the CPUC, these new grants add to over $1 billion already invested in improving connectivity for more than two million Californians. The state plans continued expansion of broadband funding in the coming years.
The Last Mile Federal Funding Account was established under Senate Bill 156 with the goal of building broadband networks where they do not yet exist. This initiative is designed to help families, workers, and communities fully participate in the digital economy.
