California’s Middle Mile Network Must Bridge the Digital Divide, Not Reinforce It
www.eff.org
When California unanimously passed S.B. 156 in 2021, we embarked on a multi-year, multi-billion dollar endeavor to bring affordable, 21st-century fiber to every Californian. Done correctly, this nearly $7 billion investment—further supplemented by $ 1.8 billion in federal funding—would help...

Summary

  • California passed a law in 2021 to build a middle-mile fiber network to connect unserved and underserved communities.

  • The California Department of Technology (CDT) is responsible for implementing the law.

  • CDT recently released a new map of the middle-mile network, which omits much of the network that was previously promised to be built in low-income communities.

  • The CDT has said that it cut back the middle mile network because inflation has increased building costs.

  • However, critics say that the cuts disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color.

  • They also say that the cuts waste government money and community time and energy.

  • They are urging the CDT to work with those on the ground to create equitable middle-mile maps that close the digital divide.