June 12, 2026 \u2013 California\u2019s utility regulator approved more than $18.2 million in broadband funding Thursday.<\/p>\n
Most of the money was directed toward fiber deployments in rural Northern California. The California Public Utilities Commission approved nearly $14.7 million for fiber-to-the home projects, $3.4 million for regional broadband planning efforts, and roughly $200,000 to expand access to technology, devices, and digital literacy training.<\/p>\n
The largest share of funding will go to four projects by Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications in Lassen, Plumas, and Sierra counties. The projects will bring symmetrical Gigabit capable fiber service to 460 homes and businesses in unserved communities.<\/p>\n
The infrastructure awards underscore the high cost of reaching California’s remaining unserved areas. The four projects will spend roughly $31,900 per location to extend fiber service into sparsely populated communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe award to Plumas-Sierra Telecom will help serve rural, low-income, and fire-prone communities, strengthening access to critical services and emergency communications,\u201d said CPUC Commissioner Darcie Houck.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The commission also approved $3.4 million to six regional broadband consortia supporting broadband planning and coordination efforts across 16 counties.<\/p>\n
The funding spans major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose, and rural and mountainous areas including Inyo County, Mono County, and Sierra County.<\/p>\n
The grants will support broadband planning, mapping, community outreach, project development, grant application assistance, infrastructure coordination, and other activities.<\/p>\n
Many of the projects will also support broadband deployment efforts associated with California\u2019s ongoing broadband investments, including the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.<\/p>\n
In addition to infrastructure and planning investments, the CPUC approved roughly $200,000 to support device access and literacy training, expected to serve more than 330 students, parents, caregivers, and community members.<\/p>\n
The funding will support digital literacy training, technical assistance, Chromebook and laptop distribution, internet hotspot access, and cybersecurity education in underserved communities in the Central Valley.<\/p>\n
The funding approvals come as California lawmakers continue debating the future of telecommunications oversight at the CPUC.\u00a0<\/p>\n