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Department of Technology reports thousands of miles under construction for state middle-mile broadband; business plan pending
Summary
The California Department of Technology told the subcommittee construction is underway on roughly 3,400 miles of the planned ~8,000-mile middle-mile broadband network; DOT partners must secure Caltrans encroachment permits and the initiative's business plan was said to be in final review.
The California Department of Technology briefed the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on progress toward the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI), reporting contracts with a dozen partners, more than 7,300 miles under contract and about 3,400 miles presently in construction toward an approximately 8,000-mile statewide middle-mile network.
Why it matters: The middle-mile network, authorized by SB 156 (2021) and driven by state broadband goals, is designed to lower costs and increase access for last-mile providers and unserved or underserved communities across California.
What officials reported - Jared Johnson, Deputy State Chief Information Officer and Chief Deputy Director at the California Department of Technology, said the state leveraged an RFI-squared procurement and has more than a dozen partners to construct, lease or purchase more than 7,300 miles. "We are in the construction phase for over 3,000 miles of the approximate 8,000 mile network," he said. - Mark Monroe, Deputy Director for the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, said the network is likely the largest of its kind nationally and will serve both unserved/underserved communities and applicants to the FCC's BEAD middle-mile opportunities (the transcript referenced 105 BEAD applicants that will connect to the network).
Business plan, Caltrans right-of-way and deadlines - The subcommittee asked about a required detailed business plan. CDT said the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative business plan and annual report were "in the final stages of review" and would be submitted to the legislature soon. - Officials clarified that the statutory deadline to encumber funds is December 2026; liquidation of encumbrances is permitted through 2028. The administration said it plans to finish encumbrances by 2026 and complete network construction within applicable deadlines. - Some of the planned route miles (roughly 4,000 miles) will use Caltrans right-of-way; CDT said partners must obtain encroachment permits and that Caltrans staff are meeting one-on-one with partners to guide permit steps.
Public comment and next steps - The California Alliance for Digital Equity thanked CDT for work to date and said it would submit a letter with follow-up questions to the committee. - The subcommittee did not record any formal funding actions at the hearing; members asked for the business plan and more details on potential additional funding for miles beyond current contracts.
Context: The initiative represents a major state investment in broadband infrastructure; the business plan and timely Caltrans permitting were highlighted as critical near-term items.
