Board of Supervisors Tues Mtg 08-18-26 · Informational Update on BroadbandInfrastructure Programs

The County of Lake Board of Supervisors held an informational update on August 18, 2026, regarding broadband infrastructure programs funded through federal and state initiatives. Deputy County Administrative Officer Ben Rickman presented on three major programs: the federal BEAD (Broadband Equity Access and Deployment) program, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) funded program, and the state middle mile network project. The BEAD program, with approximately $1.5 billion allocated for California, aims to provide broadband service to over 2,200 Lake County residents through six subgrantees using a mix of technologies including satellite, fixed wireless, and fiber. The state middle mile network will provide open access backhaul along key state routes. The discussion highlighted the predominance of satellite technology in rural areas due to geographic challenges, with Amazon's upcoming satellite service (Amazon Leo) and existing providers like Starlink playing key roles. The board discussed permitting status, service affordability, and income-eligible programs. No formal votes or contract awards were reported, but the update emphasized ongoing deployment efforts and coordination with ISPs to expand broadband access in underserved and unserved areas of the county.