California Advanced Services Fund Rural and Urban Regional ......Upstate and Northeastern California...

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California Advanced Services FundRural and Urban Regional Broadband

Consortia Account Overview

CASF Public Workshop

Lingbo (Grace) Liu, Communications Division

April 23, 2020

Program Overview

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• Assembly Bill (AB) 1665 established continuation of the CASF Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Grant Account (Consortia Grant Account) with an additional $10M.

• CPUC Decision (D.) 18-10-032 implements programmatic changes to the Consortia Grant Account, as required by AB 1665.

• The Consortia Grant Account funding shall be used to “facilitate the deployment of broadband services by assisting infrastructure grant applicants in the project development or grant application process”.

Eligible Applicants

• An eligible consortium may include, but not limited to:

o Local and regional government

o Public safety

o Health care

o Libraries

o Elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education

o Community-based organizations

o Tourism, parks and recreation

o Agricultural, business, and workforce organizations

o Air pollution control or air quality management districts.

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Funding Status

Of the total authorized $25 million, the Consortia Account has awarded approximately $17.3 million in grants, as of April 23, 2020.

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Why are We Here Today?

• Collaboration and consultation with consortia, providers, local governments, stakeholders, and consumers.

• Share consortia successes and challenges, and consortia engagement with providers and stakeholders.

• Explore ways to find CASF infrastructure projects.

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Thank you!

For Additional Information:

www.cpuc.ca.gov/casfContact: CASF_Consortia_Grant_Administrator@cpuc.ca.gov

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Consortia Engagement and Finding CASF Projects Panel

CASF Public Workshop

Regional Consortia Members

April 23, 2020

Consortia Engagement and Finding CASF Projects Panel

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Moderator: • Trish Kelly, Managing Director, Valley Vision, representing

Connected Capital Area Broadband ConsortiumPanelists:• Tom West, NBNCBC Manager, representing North Bay North

Coast Broadband Consortium• Steve Blum, President, Tellus Venture Associates, representing

Central Coast Broadband Consortium• David Espinoza, NECC & UCCC Manager, California State

University, Chico, representing Northeast California Connect Consortium and Upstate California Connect Consortium

• Connie Stewart, Executive Director, California Center for Rural Policy, representing Redwood Coast Connect Broadband Consortium

• Cole Przybyla, Economic Development Director, Tuolumne County, representing Central Sierra Connect Broadband Consortium

Connected Capital Area Broadband Consortium

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Connected Capital Area Broadband Consortium

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Connected Capital Area Broadband Consortium

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• Consortium Priorities/Partnershipso Critical regional infrastructure priority: Capital Region Prosperity

Strategy (Metro Chamber, SACOG, Greater Sacramento Econ. Council)

o Support providers to develop infrastructure projectso Improve mapping and datao Provide model policies, ordinances, permitting & planning

guidelines for local communities to expedite infrastructure projects, including joint use/dig once

o Improve connectivity for rural areas, accelerate agtech adoption to support food and ag economy, leverage UC Davis assets

o State/Federal, Regional Partnership projects: Strategic Broadband Corridors, AgTech Pilot, CETF, CA Forward – Broadband for All

o Digital Inclusion Coalition, School to Home, Prosperity Strategyo Improve federal program eligibility (USDA Re-Connect, Etc., FCC)

Connected Capital Area Broadband Consortium

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North Bay North Coast Broadband Consortium

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• Two Actions to Facilitate Broadband Deployment

o Develop Countywide Strategic Broadband Plans

o Creation of a Statewide Neutral Non-Profit Corporation

North Bay North Coast Broadband Consortium

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• Why Develop a Countywide Strategic Broadband Plan?

o Take Ownership and Control of Future BB Decisions

o Clearer Articulation of Priority BB Needs and Requirements

o Integration of Current “Stovepipes” for the Good of All

o Provide the Basis for Future BB Deployment and Adoption Projects

North Bay North Coast Broadband Consortium

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• Why Create a Statewide Non-Profit-WiConduit?

o Provide Neutral Ownership for Middle-Mile BB Infrastructure Assets Across the State

o Ensure “Open Access” to these Middle-Mile Assets

o Be the Entity with the Tools and Expertise to Assist Local Entities with “Last Mile” Deployment Projects

Central Coast Broadband Consortium

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Central Coast Broadband Consortium

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Central Coast Broadband Consortium

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Central Coast Broadband Consortium

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Central Coast Broadband Consortium

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Upstate and Northeastern California Connect Consortia

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Upstate and Northeastern California Connect Consortia

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• Supporting ISPs, local governments and broadband stakeholders to expand broadband deployments through applying to State (i.e., CASF) and Federal (i.e.,USDA) grants

• Supporting local governments (i.e., counties, cities, towns) to develop strategic broadband plans and policies to promote broadband infrastructure and services expansion

• Working with statewide agencies and regional organizations (i.e., Caltrans, CDT, CENIC, CTN, CETF, RCRC) to find synergies and collaborative approaches to expand broadband

• Working with local partners to validate reported broadband coverage and speeds using CPUC tools (i.e., CalSPEED)

Panel Discussion Topics

1. Sharing Consortia successful experience, best practices, and/or CASF infrastructure project cases

2. Sharing Consortia engagement with providers, local governments, stakeholders, and consumers

3. Discussion of Consortia experience in identifying CASF priority areas and developing cost-effective strategies

4. Discussion of Consortia feedback and recommendations on broadband maps and infrastructure application process

5. Sharing Consortia challenges and issues encountered and lessons learned

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Thank You!