Service Providers and California Officials Warn BEAD Builds Won’t Solve Affordability

MILPITAS, Calif., Jan. 28, 2026 — State regulators, a California congressman, and broadband providers warned that federal infrastructure spending alone will not close the digital divide, citing unresolved gaps in affordability, oversight, and long-term network sustainability.

The warnings came during a panel on multi-state broadband grant programs held alongside the Connecting Communities Summit hosted by Tarana Wireless. Speakers argued that the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program represents a major buildout effort, not a complete broadband policy.

Ana Maria Johnson , deputy executive director at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), said California’s broadband strategy has evolved significantly since the launch of the California Advanced Services Fund in 2008.

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