California Department of Technology Gives Updates on Middle-Mile, Last-Mile Projects

The California Department of Technology (CDT) has issued a periodic update on its middle-mile and last-mile initiatives. The report says that almost 3,100 miles of Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI) have “gone to installation” through the CDT’s joint build, indefeasible right-of-use/lease partnerships, and Caltrans constructions. The total is nearly half of the roughly 8,000 miles that will be deployed Caltrans says that it is continuing to make progress in moving from pre-construction to installation of almost 800 miles of network. Installation has started on an approximately four-mile segment in Glenn County (CA) along State Route 162. The California last-mile update provided further details about a $48 million award for eight broadband infrastructure projects that was announced on January 30, 2025. The awards are part of the multi-year $2 billion last mile Federal Funding Account grant program, which aims to bring or improve broadband services in underserved or unserved areas across the state. The update also cited the California Public Utility Commission approval of $4,455,792 in the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF). The projects will provide literacy training to 4,140 people and broadband subscriptions to 13,058 people.