The California Public Utilities Commission announced on Mar. 12 that it will hold its annual California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Public Workshop on April 22 at the CPUC Auditorium in San Francisco. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with options for both in-person and remote participation.
The workshop aims to bring together regional consortia, local governments, broadband providers, stakeholders, and consumers to discuss strategies for expanding broadband infrastructure and increasing broadband adoption in unserved communities across California.
According to the commission, participants can join remotely via webcast or phone. Those wishing to make public comments must do so by phone, following instructions provided by the CPUC. Public officials who want to speak are asked to provide their name, title, and governmental entity when calling in.
While a quorum of commissioners or their staff may attend the workshop, no official action will be taken during the event. The CPUC also noted that individuals needing special accommodations such as non-English or sign language interpreters should contact the Public Advisor’s Office at least five days before the workshop.
Since its inception in 2008, the CASF has worked to close California’s digital divide by funding projects that expand broadband access in unserved areas. The program supports various technologies including fiber-optic and fixed wireless networks and aims to make broadband available to 98 percent of households in each consortia region by 2032. The CASF is one of six telecommunications Public Purpose Programs funded through a surcharge.
More information about the CASF and details about the upcoming workshop are available on the CPUC website.
