An Administrative Law Judge at the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) issued a
ruling late last week extending the deadline for formal
parties to submit opening comments on the statewide middle-mile
broadband network to Friday, September 3. The
ruling was issued in response to a request from the California
Cable & Telecommunication Association. The ruling also extends
the deadline for reply comments to Tuesday, September
21.
Last week, CSAC and CPUC staff held an
outreach briefing on middle-mile locations, the types of
feedback CPUC is requesting, and instructions for how to submit
public comments. CSAC is in the process of registering as a
formal party and plans to submit comments before the deadline on
September 3.
Individual members of the public are still encouraged to file
informal comments using the public comment
portal. Comments from the public may be filed at any
time, and there is no comment deadline. Instructions for
submitting public comments and learning more about how to
participate can be found at the CPUC’s website.
Earlier this month, the CPUC issued a
ruling requesting comment to collect recommendations for key
aspects of a statewide middle-mile broadband network. SB 156,
Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last month, includes $3.25
billion for the creation of a statewide open-access middle-mile
network, which will be owned by the state and built along much of
the state’s highway system. This network will be available to all
internet providers on non-discriminatory terms, making it faster
and cheaper for new and existing providers to build last-mile
infrastructure to homes and businesses with little or no
broadband access. The middle-mile network can also be directly
available to anchor institutions along its route.
While the CPUC has already developed a preliminary map for where
middle-mile network fiber will be laid, they have asked for
comments from stakeholders and the public for suggestions before
finalizing the plan. This gives counties an opportunity to
influence whether the network passes by or connects to health
care facilities, schools, public safety operations, government
offices, and other important community anchor institutions. The
Commission is also calling for input related to existing
infrastructure, priority areas, affordability, long-term leases,
interconnection, and network route capacity.
