News
Officials in California have selected AT&T as a partner in a project that will see the company expand access to nearly 7,500 locations.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Nearly 7,500 locations in Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Mateo counties will gain access to AT&T Fiber once a $30 million public-private project is complete.
AT&T confirmed the news following an August 22 California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) meeting.
At the meeting, according to AT&T’s release, the CPUC approved another round of grant awards from the CPUC’s Federal Funding Account (FFA) program.
As a result of the approvals, AT&T will invest their own private capital into the project, the company’s August 22 release stated.
San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa said the news represented a good day for his county.
“With fiber-based internet, residents will have access to the tools they need to succeed in today’s digital economy,” Canepa stated in comments included with AT&T’s announcement. “I look forward to future expansions that bring this service to even more families across the area.”
As the project ramps up, AT&T reported they will “conduct extensive design and engineering work” for the project in all three counties.
Marc Blakeman, the president of AT&T’s California and Pacific states operations, said AT&T is excited to continue their efforts to close digital divides in California.
“We are looking forward to bringing our fast, reliable, and affordable fiber broadband network to parts of Riverside, San Bernardino and San Mateo counties,” Blakeman said.
The CPUC’s Federal Funding Account, which is geared towards building out last-mile connections, was established as part of Senate Bill 156, passed in 2021.
Throughout August, the California Public Utilities Commission has named additional awardees for two rounds of funding in the state’s Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program.
Funding recommendations for the program’s fifth round, totaling $91 million, included grants to seven agencies: the City of Ukiah, the City of Fort Bragg, Round Valley Indian Tribe, Comcast, Marin County, Surfnet, and Hankins Information Technology.
Meanwhile, recommendations for the program’s sixth round of funding, announced August 23, includes grants for three Tribal entities in Del Norte and Humboldt counties: the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, the Karuk Tribe, and Yurok Telecommunications Corporation.
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