FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, [email protected]

Docket #s: T-17909; T-17911

CPUC Approves $53 Million to Expand Tribal Broadband Infrastructure in Rural California

SAN FRANCISCO, July 2, 2026 – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today approved nearly $53 million in California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) grants to expand broadband infrastructure in some of California’s most underserved rural and tribal communities.

The funding includes more than $49.9 million for two tribal-led broadband projects in San Diego County and more than $3 million for broadband projects serving communities in Humboldt, Inyo, and Siskiyou counties. Together, the projects will bring high-speed internet access to more than 1,000 previously unserved locations, helping residents connect to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, emergency services, and other essential online resources.

“High-speed internet is essential infrastructure for everyday life,” said CPUC President John Reynolds. “These projects will meet the work, education, healthcare, and public safety needs of these rural and Tribal communities well into the future, bringing us closer to achieving our state’s Broadband For All objectives.”

Investing in Tribal Broadband
The CPUC approved two CASF Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account awards totaling up to $49,954,375 for tribal-led broadband projects in San Diego County.

The projects include:

Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel: Up to $24,970,970 to construct a tribal-owned broadband network serving 182 unserved locations through new middle-mile and last-mile fiber infrastructure.
Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians: Up to $24,983,405 to build a tribal-owned broadband network serving 383 unserved locations using a combination of fiber-optic and fixed wireless technology.

Both tribes will own and operate their broadband networks through newly established tribal internet service providers, strengthening tribal self-determination while creating local expertise to build, operate, and maintain the systems. The projects will also connect to California’s statewide open-access Middle-Mile Broadband Network, expanding broadband availability for years to come.

Expanding Broadband in Rural Communities
The CPUC also approved up to $3,006,387 in CASF Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account funding for two additional rural broadband projects.

The approved projects include:

Stimulus Technologies of California: Up to $706,754 to provide fixed wireless broadband service to 46 unserved locations in the rural community of Darwin in Inyo County.
The Siskiyou Telephone Company: Up to $2,299,633 to expand fiber-optic and fixed wireless broadband service to 417 unserved locations across Siskiyou and Humboldt counties.

Together, these projects will improve broadband access in remote communities where reliable internet service has historically been unavailable. Residents will gain better access to telehealth, online education, remote work opportunities, public services, and emergency communications.

Several of the projects also serve communities located within or near high fire-threat areas, improving communication resilience during emergencies through more reliable broadband infrastructure.

To date, the CPUC has awarded $67,641,495 for eight projects from the October 31, 2025 Infrastructure Grant Account application cycle.

“Today’s grants bringing broadband infrastructure to 1,028 of the most remote households in California are an important step towards achieving Broadband for All and closing the digital divide in rural California,” said Commissioner Darcie L. Houck. “These grants also make a substantial investment in our state’s partnerships with two Tribal governments who are receiving grants. They will deploy 38 miles of open-access middle-mile fiber to interconnect with the state-owned Middle Mile Broadband Network, enabling them to provide affordable service to their members and the surrounding community.”

Program Background
The CASF supports broadband deployment in unserved communities across California by helping fund infrastructure projects that bring reliable, high-speed internet service to locations where broadband access is limited or unavailable.

Today’s actions continue California’s Broadband for All initiative by supporting locally driven projects that expand connectivity while strengthening economic opportunity, public safety, and digital access in rural and tribal communities.

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