California Launches Nation’s Largest Public Broadband Network

-Editorial 

California officials announced that the state’s Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN) is now operational, marking a milestone in efforts to expand high-speed internet access to rural and underserved communities. The Bishop Paiute Tribe is the first community connected to the network, which is part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Broadband for All initiative.

Students in the Bishop Paiute community were among the first to log on, gaining faster, more reliable internet access for education, telehealth, and other essential services. “A lot of work has gone into this project,” said Chairwoman Emma Williams. “We’re so happy to have this portion of the state’s middle-mile network turned on so the people in our community who desperately need a reliable and affordable internet connection can access everything from schoolwork to telehealth appointments.”

Tribal Affairs Secretary Christina Snider-Ashtari said the launch marks “a historic first as a California tribal nation enthusiastically leads the way to provide increased access and reliability to their local community.” Government Operations Secretary Nick Maduros called it “a milestone that reflects the power of working hand in hand with tribal communities to build infrastructure that supports opportunity and long-term connectivity.”

The network spans a 423-mile segment from Barstow to the Nevada border along Highway 395, connecting rural communities throughout the Eastern Sierra Nevada. California State Chief Information Officer and Department of Technology Director Liana Bailey-Crimmins said the project demonstrates the state’s commitment to delivering on Newsom’s goal of broadband access for all. “This is proof that California is delivering on Governor Newsom’s commitment to Broadband for All,” she said.

The MMBN is an open-access backbone, allowing local and tribally owned internet service providers to independently manage services, set pricing, and operate offerings for households on and off reservations. The initiative is expected to expand connectivity to thousands of residents along the Eastern Sierra Nevada and eventually serve millions across California’s 58 counties.

Senate Bill 156, signed into law by Newsom in July 2021, provided $3.25 billion to build the middle-mile infrastructure. Last-mile grants awarded by the California Public Utilities Commission are expected to bring internet to homes, schools, and businesses, benefiting more than 2 million Californians. The state has delivered over 8,000 miles of open-access fiber to date, aiming to provide more affordable and reliable broadband to underserved communities.

The network is part of Newsom’s Build More, Faster agenda, which seeks to upgrade infrastructure across California. By acquiring and upgrading dormant fiber lines, the state has created a high-capacity broadband backbone capable of supporting future growth and connectivity. Tribal leaders emphasized that the project also respects tribal sovereignty and self-determination, with the Bishop Paiute Tribe managing its own service as a tribally owned provider.

The initiative represents a model of collaboration between state and tribal governments. As the MMBN continues to attract internet service providers, it is expected to improve digital access for education, healthcare, business, and job opportunities across California, helping bridge a digital divide that affects roughly 35% of rural Americans.