California Broadband Plan Shows Shortfall For Universal Service

The California Public Utilities Commission recently warned policymakers that a nearly $2 billion federal grant to expand broadband access across the Golden State won’t be enough to reach all underserved areas.

The commission last month revealed its draft plan surrounding use of its $1.9 billion portion of the federal government’s Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which helps states expand their high-speed internet access and deployment. The proposal has triggered a debate over how and where to implement the funds, but it also carried a stark message on how inadequate the dollars would be to reach its connectivity goal ...