Last week, several bills were introduced in both the Assembly and Senate to extend funding for the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF). Assembly Bills 665 (Garcia), and 854 (Aguiar-Curry), and Senate Bill 460 (Hueso), were introduced for the purpose of providing additional funding to the CASF. Under existing law, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is required to administer a program using monies in the CASF to encourage deployment of high-quality advance communication services to all Californians.
This occurs in two areas: first, by providing funding for infrastructure projects that provide broadband access to households that are unserved or underserved; and second, by providing monies to consortia that assist in preparing grant applications and educating communities on their specific broadband needs.
Deployment of high-speed broadband in rural and remote areas of California and the equitable regulatory treatment of all forms of telecommunications services is a high priority for RCRC. In order to be economically competitive, ensure a first-class public safety network, and provide residents with the benefits of online connectivity, the deployment and expansion of high-speed broadband access must be prioritized to unserved and underserved communities throughout the state. It is estimated that more than one million California residents do not have broadband access.
California has several tools available to obtain broadband services, with one of the primary sources being the CASF. It should be noted that the CASF will soon complete its funding authorization timeline, and that pending applications for last-mile broadband projects to meet the Legislature’s current 98 percent deployment goal significantly exceed the amount of remaining funds. In order for California to maintain its position as a national and global digital leader, it is imperative all tools and resources necessary to deploying ubiquitous high-speed broadband infrastructure throughout the state, and CASF serves as one of these critical resources.
RCRC supports efforts by the Legislature, the federal government and private industry to continue providing additional funding and deployment of this critical infrastructure effort.