Broadband and Digital Literacy Office

Our Role

The Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy manages the statewide ecosystem of individuals and organizations dedicated to closing the digital divide.

Our Mission

Our Mission is to establish digital literacy throughout the state of California. By establishing statewide digital literacy, we will eradicate the inequalities in access, knowledge and skills needed to effectively utilize and communicate using various digital platforms, ultimately, enabling the skills and knowledge necessary for a digitally inclusive communities.

Our Vision

To establish 98% high speed internet access and 90% statewide adoption by 2023.

Our Goals

  • To promote broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas of the state
  • To ensure public institutions have broadband access
  • To encourage private and public relationships to support digital literacy

Our Partners

Our partners are the individuals and organizations within the statewide ecosystem dedicated to closing the digital divide. These partners include various Federal, State and non-profit organizations. Together, we have made significant advancements in closing the digital divide, and we continue to remain focused on our ultimate goal of digital literacy for all!

Broadband for All

The California Broadband Council was established in 2010 by legislation (S.B. 1462 – Padilla) to promote broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas of the state as defined by the Public Utilities Commission, and broadband adoption throughout the state for the benefit of all Californians.

California State Broadband Action Plan
(Remediation in progress. Please contact the California Broadband Council if you need assistance.)

Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative
In July 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 156 to create an open-access middle-mile network to bring equitable high-speed broadband service to all Californians. SB 156 provides $3.25 billion to build the necessary infrastructure to bring internet connectivity to homes, businesses and community institutions. The design and construction of the middle-mile network is monitored by the Middle-Mile Advisory Committee (MMAC).

Featured Legislation

 Assembly Bill 1665

October, 2017
AB 1665 amends Public Utilities Code Sections 281 and 914.7 to extend the date of the California Advanced Services Fund goal from 2015 to 2022 and modify the goal to approve funding for broadband infrastructure projects that will provide broadband access to no less than 98 percent of California households in each consortia region, as identified by the commission on or before January 1, 2017. AB 1665 revises eligibility requirements for Broadband Infrastructure Account and creates a Right of First Refusal process and a Line Extension program. It also creates the Broadband Adoption Account and eliminates the Loan Account.