Governor Newsom announces California nearly triples internet infrastructure ready to connect homes and businesses | Governor of California

Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced a major expansion of the state Middle-Mile Broadband Network. This infrastructure project now features 1,250 miles of operational fiber, nearly tripling the previous capacity. This network serves as the digital backbone intended to connect local internet service providers to homes and businesses across California. The goal remains providing fast and reliable internet access to communities that currently lack such connectivity.

This expansion spans a wide geographic area. The current network reaches from San Jose along the Central Coast down to Los Angeles, extends east toward Barstow, and pushes north to Modoc County. This reach enables last-mile providers to tap into the state system to finish the connection process for individual properties. This initiative follows the legislative framework established by Senate Bill 156, which allocated billions to construct an open-access system.

The project has moved into a commercial phase where it is open for business. Private companies and grantees funded by the Federal Funding Account can now utilize this infrastructure to build out local services. Officials emphasize that internet access is a necessity for education, healthcare, and job opportunities. With nearly 70 percent of the planned 8,100-mile system now under construction or complete, the state is making measurable progress on its goal of universal broadband access.

This effort represents a significant public investment in core infrastructure. By managing the middle-mile construction, the state reduces the burden on local providers to build expensive long-haul connections. This approach aims to lower costs and increase competition for consumers. Residents can track further developments and ongoing projects through the state infrastructure portal as the network continues to grow.