California’s operational middle-mile broadband network has expanded to 1,250 miles from 423 miles, creating a live backbone now ready for last-mile providers to connect homes and businesses.
The active segment runs from San Jose to Los Angeles, east to Barstow and north to Modoc County, signaling the state-built open-access network has shifted from construction toward commercial use.
5,549 miles of the planned 8,100-mile system have been completed or entered active construction, putting the project at nearly 70% progress.
The buildout is backed by SB 156’s $3.25 billion for middle-mile infrastructure and a separate $2 billion last-mile grant program; the CPUC says it has already awarded more than $1.2 billion.
The expansion follows April’s first customer connection with the Bishop Paiute Tribe and is central to California’s push to close the digital divide in underserved communities statewide.
With federal internet subsidies gone, can California's state-run network truly deliver on its promise of affordable access for all?
Is California's push for internet choice inadvertently making access more expensive for low-income renters in apartment buildings?
California’s Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative: Achieving 8,000 Miles of Open-Access Fiber for Statewide Digital Equity by 2026
Overview
California's Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative has reached a major milestone with the network now open for business. This recent expansion means communities across the state can access high-speed internet, thanks to a resilient infrastructure built to support future needs. The readiness of the middle-mile network sends a strong signal to companies and local groups working on last-mile connections, showing that the essential foundation is in place. With the state’s $2 billion Federal Funding Account supporting last-mile projects, California is well on its way to delivering reliable internet to homes, schools, and businesses for generations to come.