CPUC Approves $96 Million in Last Mile Broadband Grants to Expand High-Speed Internet in Three California Counties

The California Public Utilities Commission approved five grants totaling up to $96 million from the state’s last-mile Federal Funding Account, supporting new broadband infrastructure projects that will bring reliable, high-speed internet access to nearly 15,000 Californians and connect more than 4,500 previously unserved locations. The grants will support broadband projects across Calaveras, Orange, and Trinity Counties, helping close long-standing connectivity gaps in rural, Tribal, and underserved communities. This includes two multi-county projects serving locations in Humboldt (with Trinity) and Los Angeles (with Orange) Counties. Grant recipients include AT&T, AVX Networks, Comcast Cable, and Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District, with projects designed to provide modern broadband speeds and affordable service options. The approved projects will:

• Expand high-speed broadband service to more than 4,500 locations that currently lack reliable service
• Benefit an estimated 15,000 residents, including households and small businesses
• Support community needs such as emergency communications, telehealth, remote learning, and local economic development