High-speed internet access remains out of reach for many Californians, particularly those in rural, Tribal, and low-income areas. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has taken steps to address this issue through its Last Mile Federal Funding Account (FFA), part of the state’s Broadband for All initiative.
The Last Mile FFA program targets the final segment of broadband infrastructure, bringing high-speed service directly into homes, businesses, and community institutions. This effort complements the statewide Middle Mile Broadband Initiative by focusing on local connections that link communities to broader networks.
California allocated nearly $2 billion through Senate Bill 156 to support this initiative. The program also provides planning resources, technical assistance, and financing options to help local governments, Tribes, and community organizations build networks tailored to their residents’ needs.
According to CPUC reports, investments from the Last Mile program have resulted in significant improvements. Students can now attend virtual classes from home instead of relying on public Wi-Fi outside businesses. Families have better access to telehealth services without long commutes. Small businesses are able to reach more customers and operate efficiently.
Many funded projects include affordability measures such as low-cost plans and participation in CPUC’s California LifeLine or similar programs designed for low-income households.
A majority of awarded projects serve disadvantaged or underserved communities. Several are located in high fire threat districts where underground fiber construction enhances both connectivity and public safety. More than half of these projects connect directly with California’s Middle Mile network, which is expected to reduce long-term costs and improve reliability.
In Los Angeles County, construction has begun on a major broadband project led by the Gateway Cities Council of Governments and Plenary Broadband Infrastructure. This 125-mile fiber network will connect 24 City Halls across southeast Los Angeles with support from both the CPUC’s Last Mile FFA and the California Department of Technology’s Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative.
“This is the best, and in our communities, we’re not used to getting the best,” said Hector De La Torre, Executive Director of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, in an article published by LAist. “We’re used to getting what’s left.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, students in these neighborhoods often relied on Wi-Fi outside fast food restaurants for homework assignments. The new project aims to provide high-speed internet at home for these families.
In Tulare County—a region within California’s Central Valley—the CPUC awarded $36.6 million in grants through its Last Mile program: $10 million went toward VARCOMM Broadband’s Terra Bella project while $26.6 million supported Comcast’s Tulare Agriculture County project. These efforts are set to bring internet access to over 40,000 residents across Alpaugh, Dinuba, Pixley, Terra Bella and other communities.
Tulare County has also partnered with neighboring counties like Fresno, Kings, Madera, and Merced on regional broadband initiatives—a collaborative approach spurred by state investment.
With funding now reaching every county across California—and Round 2 allocations expanding coverage further—the CPUC’s Last Mile Federal Funding Account continues advancing toward universal broadband access throughout the state.
