Tracking California’s Investment in Digital Equity: CASF Fund 3141 Update

Tracking California’s Investment in Digital Equity: CASF Fund 3141 Update

As California continues to make historic investments in digital infrastructure and inclusion, the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF)—Fund 3141—remains a critical tool in bridging the digital divide. According to the latest available data, CASF is projected to have an ending balance of approximately $285.16 million for Fiscal Year 2024–2025, reflecting both steady contributions and careful fund management by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

What Is CASF?

Managed by the CPUC, the CASF is funded through a $0.90 per-access-line monthly surcharge that is charged directly to California residents and businesses on their telephone service bills. This surcharge applies to each active landline, mobile, or Voice over IP (VoIP) connection. The funds collected are deposited into the state’s treasury and help finance broadband infrastructure and digital equity initiatives throughout the state.

This flat-rate surcharge ensures a sustainable funding source while avoiding excessive reserves. These public contributions support high-speed internet deployment and adoption programs, especially in unserved and underserved communities.

FY 2025–2026 Budget Breakdown

For the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025–2026, the CPUC has approved $136.211 million in Local Assistance budget allocations, distributed across six CASF program areas:

• 📶 Broadband Adoption Account: $30 million (22.02%)
  Supports efforts to increase broadband adoption, digital literacy, and access to affordable devices.
• 🌐 Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia: $9.818 million (7.21%)
  Funds regional coalitions that coordinate broadband planning and implementation efforts.
• 🏡 Line Extension Program (LEP): $1.294 million (0.95%)
  Helps individual households in unserved areas afford last-mile connections to nearby infrastructure.
• 🏗️ Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account: $60.458 million (44.39%)
  The largest allocation, supporting infrastructure projects that expand high-speed internet to unserved communities.
• 🏢 Broadband Public Housing Account: $30.141 million (22.13%)
  Funds infrastructure and adoption efforts within publicly supported housing developments.
• 🪶 Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTA): $4.5 million (3.3%)
  Provides planning and technical support to California Tribes as they pursue broadband development.

A Tool for Digital Transformation

The CASF is more than just a fund—it’s a vehicle for digital transformation across California. Funded directly by the people and businesses of California through their phone bills, this initiative ensures that the public’s dollars are reinvested in programs that expand opportunity, equity, and connectivity.

As we move toward universal broadband access, transparent and strategic management of public funds like CASF is essential to ensure every Californian has access to the internet they need to learn, work, access services, and thrive.

To learn more, visit the CPUC’s CASF webpage and see how these investments are being used in your community.