[1st-mile-nm] California Broadband Initiative

[Richard Lowenberg]

(An important example.   RL )
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California’s ambitious fiber-Internet plan approved unanimously by 
legislature

CA to build middle-mile network open to all ISPs and give $2B in 
last-mile grants.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/07/california-passes-historic-plan-for-statewide-open-access-fiber-network/

JON BRODKIN - 7/16/2021

The California legislature unanimously approved a plan to build a 
statewide, open-access fiber network yesterday. The legislation was 
supported by Democrats and Republicans in votes of 78-0 in the 
California Assembly and 39-0 in the state Senate.

The statewide, open-access fiber lines will function as a "middle-mile" 
network that carries data from Internet backbone networks to connection 
points in cities and rural areas. A middle-mile network doesn't extend 
all the way to residential properties, but "last-mile" ISPs can get 
access to it and focus on building infrastructure that connects the 
middle mile to homes.

California's decision to make the middle-mile network open-access means 
it will provide "non-discriminatory access to eligible entities on a 
technology and competitively neutral basis, regardless of whether the 
entity is privately or publicly owned," the bill text said. If all goes 
as planned, the network will make it easier for existing ISPs to expand 
and for new ISPs to get started, filling in gaps where there's no modern 
access and boosting competition and speeds in other areas. Last-mile 
ISPs could use network technology other than fiber to connect to homes 
because of the provision allowing technology-neutral access.

(snip)

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Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org     www.1st-mile.org
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