News Update

Federal infrastructure bill provides California with $100 million for broadband expansion

California will receive at least $100 million to expand broadband coverage through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives late Friday and awaiting the president’s signature.

The funding is aimed at providing broadband access to the at least 545,000 Californians who currently lack it, according to a White House news release in August following the Senate’s passage of the bill.

“Broadband internet is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, to participate equally in school learning, health care and to stay connected,” the news release said.

The federal funding supplements the state’s $6 billion broadband plan included in the 2021-22 state budget. That blueprint includes plans to expand the state’s internet infrastructure with a particular focus on areas that have historically been unserved or underserved by private internet service providers.