CPUC is seeking comments from local governments and CSAC
encourages counties to submit letters containing feedback and
recommendations via email to BEAD@cpuc.ca.gov. Comments
close Thursday, December 7, 2023.
The BEAD Initial Proposal is due from the state to the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) by the
end of December 2023.
California received $1.86 billion in federal funding for the BEAD
program via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The BEAD funding
will be used to deploy or upgrade broadband networks to ensure
that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed
Internet service.
On October 26, CSAC’s Government Finance and Administration (GFA)
team attended the CPUC-hosted Technical Workshop in the BEAD
proceeding (Rulemaking 23-02-016). As previously
reported by CSAC, the all-day workshop included an overview
of the BEAD program by a representative of NTIA, presentations by
CPUC staff on key policy issues to be addressed in the BEAD
Initial Proposal, and panel discussions of selected topics in the
proceeding featuring representatives of parties in the
proceeding. The workshop may be viewed in its
entirety here and the slides
presented at the workshop are available here.
Yesterday, the GFA team attended a
CPUC-hosted Public Forum on the BEAD Program. The public
forum was intended to provide an opportunity for the public to
engage with the CPUC regarding access to essential communications
services and service quality, particularly pertaining to access
concerns raised in the CPUC’s proceeding to implement the BEAD
Program. The public was encouraged to discuss all aspects of
broadband service, especially whether broadband service affects
access to critical information and vital services such as
education, job search resources, and healthcare, as well as
difficulties encountered with the quality and accessibility of
internet service.
