California Signs Broadband Award, Challenges Limits on State Rules

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) submitted a signed federal broadband award on Nov. 2 while challenging terms that would restrict state enforcement against funded providers, making provider agreements conditional on resolving any disagreement. The commission sent the signed Notice of Award to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The award is part of the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which funds broadband projects nationwide. Section 50 of the award terms requires California to commit to withholding enforcement of specified rules on broadband rates, service terms, net neutrality, open access and utility-style regulation against funded providers and their affiliates. The restriction reaches their services throughout California, including locations outside federally funded projects.

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