California and the Hoopa Value Public Utilities District (HVPUD) have entered into what the state says is its first ever joint-build agreement with a Tribal nation.
The 23-mile project is part of the Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN), which is an element of the state’s “Build More, Faster” agenda.
The joint-build project will follow California State Route 96 and eventually support last-mile services to about 1,900 homes and 3,000 residents. It will also add resiliency to the state’s open-access middle-mile network, according to the California Department of Technology.
The project will be part of a network of more than 8,000 miles and serve as the model agreement for ten more joint-build agreements with Tribal nations across California.
“I am proud of the collaboration with the Hoopa Valley Tribe that will bring reliable internet access to the tribe and to the surrounding community,” State Chief Information Officer and CDT Director Liana Bailey-Crimmins said in a press release.
“Our first-of-its-kind agreement with the Hoopa Valley Tribe proved the concept, opened the door for ten more Tribal partnerships, and shows that statewide connectivity and Tribal self-determination go hand in hand.”
The MMBN will total 8,155 miles across California, including 7,888 miles in joint build, lease, and purchase scenarios. As of the beginning of this month, 4,016 miles were in active construction. The goal is 10 Tribal partnerships and engagements, with all 58 of the state’s counties being reached.
In February, the department said that almost 3,100 miles of the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI) had “gone to installation” through the joint build, indefeasible right-of-use/lease partnerships, and Caltrans constructions.
In October 2023, the department contracted with Lumens and others for a middle-mile network covering a large part of the state. Lumen was to be paid $400 million for the portion of the network that the company would build. The vendor said it will reach hundreds of California communities by the end of next year.
