High bar for middle mile projects seeking CASF funding
12 March 2012 by Steve Blum
business, casf, cetf, cpuc, middle mile, regional consortia, rural broadband
business, casf, cetf, cpuc, middle mile, regional consortia, rural broadband
The purpose of the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) is providing Internet service to homes and businesses. Key measures used to evaluate grant and loan applications include the number of households served and the number of new subscribers expected. As a result, funding middle mile projects through CASF is a challenge. In its recent decision revising the CASF program, the California Public Utilities Commission was adamant: it would not support “middle mile to nowhere” projects.
A middle mile project that spans under and unserved areas (as defined by the CPUC), and even served areas, is eligible for CASF funding, however it will be judged using the same criteria as a last mile project.