CPUC Approves $74 Million for Broadband Expansion, Including $33.2 Million for 1,293 Central Coast Sites
Updated
Updated · KSBW Monterey · Jul 16
CPUC Approves $74 Million for Broadband Expansion, Including $33.2 Million for 1,293 Central Coast Sites
1 articles · Updated · KSBW Monterey · Jul 16
Summary
$74 million in California grants will expand high-speed broadband in underserved communities across six counties, with Monterey and Santa Cruz among the areas covered.
$33.2 million of the funding is earmarked for the Santa Barbara Fiber and Central Coast Fiber projects, which Surfnet Communications will use to reach 1,293 unserved locations across five counties.
CPUC said the awards target rural and low-income communities that have lagged in internet access, advancing the state's Broadband for All initiative.
Several projects also run in or near high fire-threat areas, where officials said stronger broadband networks can improve communication resilience during emergencies.
As California spends billions on broadband, how will it prevent the fraud and waste that plague federal internet subsidy programs?
Could the push to bring high-speed internet to rural California unintentionally displace the very communities it aims to serve?
With wildfire risks growing, is new fiber optic cable truly more resilient than other technologies like satellite for ensuring emergency communications?
$74 Million Approved for California Broadband: CPUC and CASF Accelerate Rural and Tribal Internet Access in 2026
Overview
In 2026, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) made major progress in expanding broadband infrastructure and digital equity across California. On June 11, 2026, the CPUC approved over $18.2 million to support these efforts, including nearly $14.7 million for four fiber-optic projects in rural Northern California and $3.4 million for planning and coordination across 16 counties. These actions are part of California’s broader 'Broadband for All' initiative, which aims to expand connectivity, boost economic opportunities, enhance public safety, and improve digital access for underserved communities.