California Approves Nearly $32M for Infrastructure, Affordable Housing and Digital Skills
The CPUC approved funds for 10 broadband adoption projects, including digital literacy programs expected to train more than 2,600.
Aug. 24, 2026 – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved nearly $32 million in California Advanced Services Fund grants to expand broadband infrastructure, provide free Internet service in affordable housing and support digital literacy programs across the state.
The largest portion — up to $24 million — will fund three Frontier California fiber projects serving 590 currently unserved homes in Fresno, Merced, Plumas and Tulare counties, according to an Aug. 13 CPUC announcement. The projects include $14.8 million for a deployment serving 289 locations in Fresno and Merced counties, $3.45 million for 187 locations in Plumas County and $5.75 million for 114 locations in Tulare County.
Another $595,911 will support broadband infrastructure at four affordable housing developments in Contra Costa, Madera, Merced and Santa Barbara counties. The projects will provide free broadband service to 315 residential units, with networks capable of at least 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload speeds.
The CPUC also approved $7.26 million for 10 broadband adoption projects, including digital literacy programs expected to train more than 2,600 people and two statewide call centers intended to connect more than 29,000 households with affordable broadband service.
“Closing the digital divide means more than building broadband,” CPUC Commissioner Christine Harada said in the announcement. “Californians need to be able to access it, afford it, and have the skills to use it.”
The investments are part of California’s Broadband for All initiative and reflect a broader state strategy that combines broadband deployment with affordability and digital skills programs. The CPUC has also recently played a role in major developments affecting California’s telecommunications market, including its approval of Charter’s $34.5 billion acquisition of Cox Communications.
The CPUC said the projects are intended to strengthen connectivity while expanding access to education, health care, employment opportunities, government services and public safety information.
