The State of California had more than 3,000 miles of “middle mile” broadband network under construction and expansion at the end of 2024, according to a press release issued by the office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
This publicly funded, owned and open-access network is set to be the nation’s largest, and will connect millions of Californians to high-speed internet, the release states.
“We are building the nation’s largest open-access broadband network of its kind to ensure all Californians have access to reliable, high-speed internet,” Newsom said. “Our historic investments not only set California on track to thrive in the digital world, it provides the foundation for our economy and our workers to flourish.”
What is Middle Mile Broadband?
As demand for reliable, high-speed internet grows, attention has increasingly shifted toward the infrastructure that makes connectivity possible—particularly in rural and underserved communities.
While “last mile” service is often the focus of public awareness and policy, the lesser known “middle mile” is just as essential. Without it, last mile connections cannot function.
In the architecture of internet infrastructure, the term “middle mile” refers to the segment that connects a local network—such as a community, neighborhood, or local Internet Service Provider (ISP)—to the broader internet backbone. It bridges the gap between high-capacity, long-haul transmission lines and the localized distribution networks that reach homes and businesses (the "last mile").
Middle mile infrastructure typically includes:
- Fiber-optic cables
- Microwave or fixed wireless links
- Regional data centers or network hubs
- Aggregation points for multiple local networks
In practical terms, imagine a rural town where a small ISP serves residents and local businesses. The ISP might have its own last mile infrastructure—wires and routers that deliver internet directly to users—but without a robust middle mile connection to a larger urban hub or data center, that service will be slow, unstable, or prohibitively expensive.
In late 2024, the California Department of Technology (CDT) sealed two more joint-build agreements with the Karuk Tribe in the northern part of the state and the Gateway Cities Council of Governments in the southern part of the state. These joint-build partnerships pave the way for 46 miles across county and tribal lands and a 73-mile stretch of network in southeast Los Angeles County, connecting 26 cities, many of them historically underserved communities.
“We are entering into an era of co-management where work together with our state partners to manage these lands which requires an adaptive process,” said Karuk Tribe Chairman Russell Attebery. “The Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative is an integral part of that process. Broadband is not just public safety and education, but also a life-changing instrument and we are partnering with the state to ensure that the next generations of the Karuk people can survive and have a better quality of life.”
“Low-income communities are behind technologically – and business as usual has left communities in several areas of California with a digital divide,” added Vilma Cuellar-Stallings, Board President Gateway Cities Council of Governments and Paramount City Councilwoman. “We are grateful that the California Department of Technology worked with the cities in Southeast Los Angeles County to narrow our digital divide and that of communities like ours, bringing high-speed fiber optic access to underserved Californians.”
California’s Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative is designed to ensure that the state’s residents have a resilient, open-access broadband network with high-speed internet. In addition to the 3,000 miles of middle-mile construction that is ongoing, other program highlights include:
- 10 Tribal joint-build partnerships and engagements
- All 58 counties reached
- 7,233 miles in lease/purchase partnership
- 4,000 miles under construction by Spring 2025
“We are building critical broadband infrastructure across the state to ensure a California where everyone has reliable access to the internet,” said California State Chief Information Officer and CDT Director Liana Bailey-Crimmins. “We are grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and our state and local partners working with us to close the digital divide.”
How the Internet Is Structured: Backbone, Middle Mile, Last Mile
To understand where middle mile fits, it’s helpful to consider the three-tier structure of internet connectivity:
- Backbone – The internet’s global core, composed of ultra-high-capacity fiber optic networks that span continents and oceans. These are operated by large network providers and connect major cities, countries, and continents.
- Middle Mile – The regional link that connects local ISPs, anchor institutions (like schools and hospitals), and government networks to backbone infrastructure. It includes regional transport networks and routing facilities.
- Last Mile – The final connection to individual end users—homes, schools, libraries, and businesses. This is often where consumer-facing ISPs operate, delivering broadband via cable, DSL, fiber, or wireless.
All three segments must work together to deliver high-speed, reliable internet. Weakness in any one part limits the entire system.
Why the Middle Mile Matters
The middle mile is often a hidden barrier to broadband expansion. While many funding and development programs focus on subsidizing last mile access, local providers still need affordable, high-capacity middle mile connections to deliver competitive service. This becomes especially problematic in remote or rural areas, where middle mile infrastructure is limited or nonexistent.
Key reasons why the middle mile matters:
- Cost Efficiency: If ISPs don’t have access to open and affordable middle mile networks, they may be forced to lease capacity from private carriers at high rates—costs that are passed on to consumers.
- Network Performance: Congested or outdated middle mile networks limit bandwidth and cause latency, reducing the overall quality of service even if the last mile infrastructure is modern.
- Scalability: Robust middle mile networks allow communities to add more users and services—such as public Wi-Fi, smart grid applications, or remote learning—without overloading the system.
- Redundancy and Resilience: Middle mile investments support redundant routes, improving service uptime and disaster recovery in the event of outages.
Challenges to Implementation
While middle mile development is gaining momentum, challenges remain:
- High Capital Costs: Fiber builds, especially over long distances, are expensive and time-consuming.
- Geographic Barriers: Terrain and rights-of-way issues complicate deployment in mountainous or rural areas.
- Permitting and Coordination: Infrastructure projects often require coordination across jurisdictions and utility owners, slowing progress.
For middle-mile broadband infrastructure to truly benefit the communities in which it’s being installed, it first must be installed safely and without damaging existing buried infrastructure.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can GPRS find PVC piping and other non-conductive utilities?
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