Bill has the potential to bring broadband to hundreds of thousands of California households, create thousands of jobs and yield significant economic impacts for the state and local communities

Findings also outline the potential benefits of expanded access to high-speed fiber that could include better educational outcomes, increased productivity, higher property values and more business startups

For Immediate Release
August 27, 2025
Contact: Molly Weedn
molly@weednpa.com

SACRAMENTO, CA – A new study from Capitol Matrix Consulting underscores the importance that Assembly Bill 470 (McKinnor) could have on connecting hundreds of thousands of California households to fiber, creating thousands of jobs across the state, and boosting local economies. The report also outlines the potential downstream benefits that could result from the bill, which could create a transition plan for California to shift toward modern, efficient and environmentally friendly high-speed fiber services.

Key findings of the report, which evaluated three hypothetical scenarios, show that AB 470 could: 

• Result in significant economic boosts to California, including: 
  • Between 2,621 and 7,862 jobs, 
  • $552 million to $1.7 billion in economic output AND 
  • $28 million to $84 million in state and local revenues related to the required expansion of the fiber network during each of the first six years after AB 470 is implemented  
• Establish numerous protections for consumers, including: 
  • The continuation of basic services for one year,  
  • Access to comparable priced alternative services for families with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level ($128,600 for a family of four in 2025) for at least two years,  
  • And job guarantees and training for displaced workers.
• Require that fiber services be provided to three new households within six years for each household losing COLR basic exchange services because of the bill. That translates into an addition of fiber services to 750,000 to 2,250,000 California households, depending on the number of households losing COLR status under the bill. One-half of the households receiving new fiber services would be in areas that are not well-served (as defined in the bill and discussed below). 

“AB 470 not only provides important infrastructure updates to California’s telecommunications network by upgrading and modernizing the existing system, but it helps bring California to the future,” said Dr. Tecoy Porter, President & Executive Director of the National Action Network Sacramento Chapter. “The status quo is a forfeiture of the opportunity to reach hundreds of thousands of customer locations without fiber-based broadband. On the other hand, this bill offers a thoughtful, sound approach to a much-needed change. AB 470 is a responsible plan to build more broadband across California, delivering hundreds of millions in new investments while creating good paying jobs that benefit local economies across the state.”   

The report, conducted July in 2025, goes on to find that, “By reducing reliance on expensive and antiquated copper systems and accelerating access to modern fiber optics systems, AB 470 would have numerous positive impacts on California.”  

“Not only is AB 470 sound policy that brings California’s telecommunications network to the 21^st century, but it helps to create jobs and boost local economies during an affordability crisis like we have never seen before,” said Julian Canete, President & CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. “This bill will directly result in increased productivity across sectors, job creation and enhanced economic output. To dismiss this opportunity now is to knowingly leave communities reliant on outdated, failing technology, and to delay the benefits of a more affordable, reliable, and future-ready network.”  

About Californians for a Connected Future   

Californians for a Connected Future (CCF) is a broad and diverse group of organizations dedicated to innovative, reliable, fast and affordable communications for all. CCF supports Assembly Bill 470 which is being developed as part of a comprehensive stakeholder process to prioritize investments in advanced communications options for all, while ensuring no Californian or community is left behind. CCF is a project of USTelecom – The Broadband Association. For more information, visit: www.caconnectedfuture.org