California is strengthening broadband connections to improve access to education, health services and employment opportunities throughout the state. The Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative is the first step to creating an open-access, middle-mile network that will build infrastructure to bring high-speed broadband service to unserved and underserved communities, regardless of technology used, on equal economic and service terms. All construction for this project is scheduled to be completed by December 2026. There are three main goals of the open-access middle-mile network:
- Provide affordable, open-access, middle-mile broadband infrastructure to enable last-mile networks throughout the state.
- Leverage existing networks and construction projects to build networks, when possible.
- Prioritize connectivity to unserved and underserved communities
The California Department of Technology released a statewide construction evaluation map that includes 10,000 miles of proposed build spanning the entire state. Caltrans will provide a presentation on how the plan will be used to construct the project scheduled for completion by December 2026.
In July 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 156 to create an open-access middle-mile network to bring equitable high-speed broadband service to all Californians. SB 156 provides $3.25 billion to build the necessary infrastructure to bring internet connectivity to homes, businesses and community institutions. The Broadband Middle Mile Network will provide open access using state-owned high-capacity fiber lines to connect to a last-mile broadband infrastructure that will connect homes and businesses with local networks.
The attached proposed Statewide Construction Evaluation map spans 10,000-miles covering the entire state. The initial map was presented at the May 20 Middle-Mile Advisory Committee meeting and delivered to Caltrans to conduct preconstruction work. It includes most of the 8,700-mile design proposed by consultant team GoldenStateNet during the April Middle-Mile Advisory Committee meeting, and all of the California Public Utilities Commission recommended routes as required by SB 156. In the months to come, the California Department of Technology will evaluate the affordability for build and lease scenarios through revised construction cost estimates from Caltrans, updated market assessments for dark and lit service, and updated locations of potential infrastructure that can be leased through Indefensible Rights of Use leases. As data is refined, the California Department of Technology will identify where the state will be able to build the proposed network, and which locations will need to use these types of leases. The California Department of Technology will continually update the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative website as design decisions evolve. Here are the anticipate roles for the expected team members:
California Department of Technology and Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy
The California Department of Technology and the Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy will oversee the acquisition and management of contracts for the development, design, construction, maintenance and operation of the network.
Third-Party Administrator (TPA)
The team has retained GoldenStateNet as a third-party administrator (TPA) to construct and establish the network. GoldenStateNet will manage the development, acquisition, construction, maintenance and operation of the statewide open-access middle-mile broadband network. The project maps refer to the network recommendations from GoldenStateNet as the TPA Network.
Middle-Mile Advisory Committee
As part of this effort the Middle-Mile Advisory Committee was developed to monitor the development, design and construction of the open-access middle-mile network. The Committee adopted three guiding principles to focus the work of the Broadband Middle-Mile Initiative:
- Provide affordable, open-access, middle-mile broadband infrastructure to enable last-mile network connectivity throughout the state.
- Build the network expeditiously, leveraging existing infrastructure, networks, and construction projects, where feasible.
- Prioritize connectivity to unserved and underserved communities, including community institutions.
California Public Utilities Commission
The California Public Utilities Commission, in collaboration with the third-party administrator, will provide locations for the middle-mile infrastructure and last-mile connectivity.
Caltrans
Caltrans will work with the third-party administrator to manage construction of the middle-mile infrastructure along state highways and rights of way.