California Advanced Services Fund (CASF)
July 25, 2018: Staff Slideshow Presentation from Sacramento CASF Infrastructure Workshop.
June 21, 2018: In our commitment to bridging the digital divide, we modified rules and requirements for the California Advanced Services Fund to support broadband adoption programs in communities with low broadband access. Read our press release.
March 2018: Public Workshops on Implementation of the Internet for All Now Act
CASF Baseline Data By State, Consortia and County Regions
CASF Fact Sheet
Program Description and Application Instructions
California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) promotes deployment of high-quality advanced communications services to Californians.
Funding is allocated to four CASF accounts (please go to the linked page for a description of the account):
Annual Right Of First Refusal (ROFR) Letter
The Right of First Refusal (ROFR) Resolution T-17590 does not prohibit existing providers from submitting the ROFR letter indicating an intent to build in a given area beyond the 180 days and before the next ROFR process begins. However, Commission receipt of the letter will not bar the Commission from approving a grant to build in the same area.
Implementation
On February 27, 2014, the Commission approved D14-02-018 which amends the eligibility rules for the CASF Program according to the definition of eligibility in SB 740. It gives the Commission the authority to enforce the terms and conditions of the grant awards and to impose penalties under P.U. Code §§ 2111 and 2108.
Resolution T-17443 (approved June 26, 2014) implements new timelines for applicants to CASF, including how and when local government agencies and non-telephone corporations may apply pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 740. It also describes how existing providers may exercise their right of first refusal as provided under SB 740. In addition, this Resolution lists areas in California that various CASF-funded regional consortia groups and state agencies have identified as priorities for broadband infrastructure deployment.
On December 18, 2014, the Commission approved D14-12-039 which implements (SB) 1299 and adopts the CASF Broadband Public Housing Account, establishing application requirements and guidelines.
Funding
The CASF is funded by a surcharge rate on revenues collected by telecommunications carriers from end-users for intrastate telecommunications services. On January 1, 2008, the Commission adopted a surcharge rate of 0.25% to fund the program. On December 17, 2009, the Commission approved Resolution T-17248 which reduced the CASF surcharge from 0.25% to 0.00% effective January 1, 2010. To collect the additional funds authorized by SB 1040, the Commission issued Resolution T-17343 on September 22, 2011, which revises the surcharge from 0.0% to 0.14% effective November 1, 2011. The Commission approved Resolution T-17386 on February 13th, 2013, increasing the surcharge rate from 0.14% to 0.164% effective April 1, 2013. The Commission approved Resolution T-17434 on February 27th, 2014, increasing the surcharge rate from 0.164% to 0.464% effective April 1, 2014. The Commission approved Resolution T-17536 on October 13, 2016, decreasing the surcharge rate from 0.464% to 0.00% effective December 1, 2016. The Commission approved Resolution T-17593 on December 14, 2017, which adopts a surcharge rate increase from 0.00% to 0.56% effective March 1, 2018, and thereafter, until December 31, 2022.
CASF Reports and Audits
The CASF Annual Report is published each April for the prior calendar year. The next audit is due to the legislature April of 2017.
For Further Information Contact
Questions about this program should be directed to one of the following: