Dec 19, 2024
The California Department of Technology and Gateway Cities Council of Governments Partner to Build Middle-Mile Broadband Network across Southeast Los Angeles
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – No matter where you live, access to reliable and affordable internet is essential to life in the 21st century. A new partnership with Gateway Cities Council of Governments (Gateway COG) combines grassroots planning with State resources to ensure the Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN) enables locally planned last-mile broadband efforts.
“We are building the nation’s largest open-access broadband network of its kind to ensure all Californians have access to reliable, high-speed internet. Our historic investments not only set California on track to thrive in the digital world, it provides the foundation for our economy and our workers to flourish.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
California is building over 8,000 miles of open-access middle-mile broadband across California enabling cities, counties, and tribes to plan and build local connections. This initiative ensures that California has a resilient, open-access broadband network enabling communities to connect to the middle-mile for generations to come.
“Building a more connected California is a priority,” said Government Operations Secretary Amy Tong. “I am thrilled that we continue to work with local communities to ensure state and federal investments are made strategically—together we will close the digital divide.”
This joint-build partnership will pave the way for a 73-mile stretch of network in Los Angeles County, connecting 26 cities in the region.
“I am delighted that together with the Gateway COG, we continue align local priorities to close the digital divide,” said California State Chief Information Officer and CDT Director Liana Bailey-Crimmins. “This partnership marks a significant milestone in our goal to provide affordable and reliable broadband to every community across our state.”
“Low-income communities are behind technologically – and business as usual has left communities in several areas of California with a digital divide,” said Vilma Cuellar-Stallings, Board President Gateway Cities Council of Governments and City Councilwoman, City of Paramount. “We are grateful that the California Department of Technology worked with the cities in Southeast Los Angeles County to narrow our digital divide and that of communities like ours, bringing high-speed fiber optic access to underserved Californians.”
With over 2,700 miles of active installation, CDT remains ahead of schedule to deliver more than 8,000 miles of Broadband fiber, enabling more affordable and reliable broadband access for many of California’s most unserved and underserved communities.
What Our Partners Are Saying
“As the author of Senate Bill 4 Broadband for All, I am proud to see the work advance toward bringing high-quality internet and future-proof fiber optic infrastructure to our Southeast LA County communities. I am also thankful to Governor Newsom for his support in delivering the funding necessary to make this progress. Students, patients, workers, and businesses in 25 cities will have reliable access to all the resources that the internet can provide. California has taken major steps toward digital equity in this initiative.”
California State Senator Lena Gonzalez (Long Beach)
“As a lifelong Long Beach resident and former telecommunications executive, I know how incredibly important quality affordable connectivity is for our underserved communities. The joint-build fiber optic project with the California Department of Technology and 25 Gateway Cities is an unprecedented effort to remedy that. Bringing high-speed affordable access will build connections to schools, jobs, entertainment, and economic opportunities for our residents of all ages. I look forward to seeing this effort shape a brighter future in Long Beach and beyond.”
California State Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (Long Beach)
“By securing $104 million in combined funding from the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Department of Technology, we are closing the digital divide in our Gateway Cities and creating opportunities for education, economic development, and connectivity. Providing high-speed internet to thousands of unserved locations will ensure that our residents will be able to fully participate in today’s digital economy. This is more than mere infrastructure – it’s an investment in our community’s future.”
California State Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco (Downey)
“Access to the internet has become essential for daily life. For far too long, the Gateway Cities have experienced limited options for reliable broadband connections. This funding demonstrates that we can tackle the digital divide through thoughtful collaborations between the state and local partners.”
California State Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (Whittier)
About the Middle-Mile
The Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN) is a key part of Governor Newsom’s “Build More, Faster” agenda delivering new infrastructure projects and upgrades across the state. This initiative ensures that California has a resilient, open-access broadband network enabling communities to connect to the middle-mile for generations to come.
The California Department of Technology (CDT) is the lead in planning and constructing the MMBN with Caltrans and the California Public Utilities Commission playing key roles. Local governments have played a crucial role by leveraging their local planning and funding to fast-track construction.
Middle-Mile by the Numbers
2,800+ miles in active construction, jumping to 3,000 in just the next three weeks
10 Tribal joint-build partnerships and engagements
All 58 counties reached
7,233 miles in lease/purchase partnership
4,000 miles in construction by Spring 2025
For more information about the Middle-Mile Broadband Network visit:
https://middle-mile-broadband-initiative.cdt.ca.gov/pages/whats-new