Governor Newsom turns on largest public broadband network, California connects first rural community to internet

As the network continues to attract internet service providers, thousands of residents along the Eastern Sierra Nevada and millions more across the state will gain access to more options for reliable and affordable high-speed internet service.

A model for government-to-government relations, the groundbreaking partnership with the Tribe reflects California’s commitment to tribal sovereignty and self-determination. As a tribally-owned internet service provider, the Bishop Paiute Tribe will independently manage and operate its broadband service, including setting pricing and service offerings for households on and off the reservation.

The Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative ensures that California has a resilient, open-access broadband network enabling communities to connect to high-speed internet for generations to come. Once complete, last mile projects will take internet connections from middle-mile lines to homes, schools, businesses, and more. 

This network is a key part of Governor Newsom’s Build More, Faster agenda delivering infrastructure upgrades across the state. You can find more projects supporting your communities at build.ca.gov.

The new internet service in Bishop is made possible by connecting to a 423-mile segment of the MMBN that runs from Barstow to the Nevada border along Highway 395. Demonstrating California’s innovative approach to infrastructure development, CDT acquired dormant fiber infrastructure and transformed it through major upgrades into a robust, high-capacity backbone now serving rural and tribal communities throughout the Eastern Sierra Nevada region.