The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved $96 million in Last Mile broadband grants through the state’s Federal Funding Account (FFA). The funding, announced on December 18, 2025, will be used to build new broadband infrastructure in areas of California that currently lack reliable high-speed internet. These regions include rural mountain towns, Tribal lands, and coastal communities.
The grants are part of California’s Broadband For All initiative, which aims to provide affordable and fast internet access to underserved households, schools, and small businesses. According to the CPUC, the projects funded by this round of grants will serve nearly 15,000 Californians and connect more than 4,500 previously unserved locations across Calaveras, Orange, and Trinity Counties. Additionally, multi-county partnerships in Humboldt and Los Angeles Counties will benefit from these investments.
Grantees involved in the network expansion include AT&T California for Orange County; AVX Networks for Orange and Los Angeles Counties; Comcast Cable Communications for Calaveras County; and Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District for Trinity and Humboldt Counties.
In a statement accompanying the announcement: “Reliable broadband is no longer a luxury. It’s essential for: Education: students learning from home or accessing online resources Healthcare: telehealth appointments and medical information Public safety: dependable emergency communications Economic opportunity: small business growth and job access.”
These new FFA grants add to more than $1 billion already invested by the state to improve connectivity for over two million Californians. The state intends to continue expanding its funding efforts in future years.
The Last Mile Federal Funding Account was established through Senate Bill 156 with the goal of supporting construction of broadband networks where high-speed internet is not yet available. The program is designed to help families, workers, and communities fully participate in today’s digital world.
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