GoldenStateNet

What GoldenStateNet does

GoldenStateNet is the operating name for CENIC California Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, LLC, a California limited liability company formed in 2021 whose sole member is the non-profit Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC). It functions as the state-selected Third Party Administrator (TPA) for California's Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, managing the development, acquisition, construction, maintenance, and operation of a planned 10,000-mile open-access middle-mile fiber-optic broadband network spanning the entire state. The network is designed to carry high-capacity data over long distances between local networks and the global Internet, with service offerings including dark fiber IRU leases, lit fiber services, joint-build partnerships, colocation, wave and spectrum optical services (DWDM), and conduit access. End customers are last-mile Internet service providers, telecommunications carriers, community anchor institutions (schools, libraries, healthcare), and California's tribal nations, with priority on unserved and underserved areas where approximately one in five Californians currently lacks reliable high-speed internet access.

The business model is structured as a public-benefit infrastructure program rather than a commercial enterprise. Capital comes entirely from California state legislative appropriations under SB 156 — $3.25 billion allocated in 2021 and an additional $550 million in 2022, totaling approximately $3.8 billion for the middle-mile project (part of a broader $6 billion "Broadband For All" package). Construction is executed through Job Order Contracts and Construction Manager/General Contractor methods in coordination with Caltrans, with cost-sharing enabled by joint-build partnerships that have demonstrated approximately 40 percent per-mile savings versus state-only construction. Pricing for wholesale network services to last-mile providers is not publicly disclosed as the network is still under construction, with full completion targeted for December 2026. Governance oversight is provided by CDT, CPUC, the California Department of Finance, and the Middle-Mile Advisory Committee, with CENIC contributing operational expertise and institutional relationships across 12,000 California sites.

The go-to-market approach combines enterprise field sales to last-mile providers, government liaison with state and tribal stakeholders, and public engagement through community meetings, webinars, and an RFI2 solicitation process. As of late 2022, 18 initial broadband projects had been announced, 77 percent of the network was in preconstruction, and 7,900 miles were in active construction bid evaluation. Leadership transitioned in November 2023 when Erik Hunsinger succeeded inaugural President and COO Tony Naughtin.

Name

GoldenStateNet

Legal name

CENIC California Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, LLC

Website

https://goldenstatenet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GoldenStateNet is the state-selected third-party administrator building a 10,000-mile open-access middle-mile fiber-optic broadband network across California to enable last-mile ISPs, anchor institutions, and tribal nations to serve unserved and underserved communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Middle-Mile Broadband Infrastructure

NAICS

Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899)

akta.pro primary industry

Terrestrial Long-Haul Fiber Backbone Operators (Intercity/Interstate) (HDAIALAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Neutral-Host Fiber & Shared Access Network Operators (HDAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Middle-mile broadband
• Open-access network
• Fiber-optic infrastructure
• Broadband construction services
• Telecommunications infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

La Mirada

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Infrastructure Funding: Funded through California State Legislature's and Governor Gavin Newsom's 'Broadband For All' legislation. The 2021 legislation included $3.25 billion to build, operate and maintain an open access, state-owned middle-mile network, $2 billion for last-mile broadband connections, and $750 million for a loan loss reserve fund.
2. Joint-Build Cost Sharing: Private companies partner with the state on middle-mile network construction through joint-build agreements, sharing construction costs. The 306-mile stretch with Arcadian Infracom cost approximately 40 percent less per mile compared to state-only construction estimates.
3. Network Services to Last-Mile Providers: Once complete, local carriers will have access to the network to provide communities with direct service to homes and businesses, including reduced-cost or free broadband internet service for eligible populations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

GoldenStateNet is the third-party administrator that builds, operates, and provides wholesale access to California's statewide 10,000-mile open-access middle-mile fiber-optic broadband network. It delivers dark fiber, lit fiber, colocation, and wave/spectrum optical services to last-mile internet service providers, community anchor institutions, and tribal communities, with a focus on unserved and underserved areas of California. The network is intended to lower the cost of broadband delivery across the state by connecting last-mile providers to the global internet backbone.

Product overview

GoldenStateNet operates as a platform-plus-services architecture built around a core 10,000-mile open-access middle-mile fiber-optic network infrastructure spanning California. The core network enables last-mile providers to deliver affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities. Service offerings include dark fiber IRU leases, lit fiber services, joint build partnerships, colocation at exchange points, and optical wavelength services (wave and spectrum). The platform prioritizes connectivity to rural, tribal, and urban communities lacking adequate Internet access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Middle-Mile Broadband Network Infrastructure (10,000-mile open-access fiber backbone) A 10,000-mile open-access middle-mile fiber-optic network built to connect last-mile internet service providers to the global internet, with a state mandate to prioritize unserved, underserved, and tribal communities across California.
• Dark Fiber Service Wholesale dark fiber capacity leased to last-mile internet service providers and partners over GoldenStateNet's 10,000-mile middle-mile fiber backbone.
• Lit Fiber Service Wholesale lit fiber transport service provided to last-mile internet service providers and partners over the GoldenStateNet middle-mile backbone.
• Wave Optical Service Wave optical transport services delivered over GoldenStateNet's middle-mile fiber backbone for wholesale customers.
• Spectrum Optical Service Spectrum optical services delivered over GoldenStateNet's middle-mile fiber backbone for wholesale customers.
• Colocation Service Colocation facilities and services offered across GoldenStateNet's middle-mile network footprint for wholesale customers.
• Joint Build Partnerships Co-build arrangements with last-mile internet service providers, community anchor institutions, and tribal partners to construct middle-mile fiber segments as part of GoldenStateNet's 10,000-mile open-access network.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 in 5 Californians currently lacks access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arcadian InfracomcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 February 2023First joint-build agreement for the California Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative. Arcadian Infracom partnered with CDT to construct 306 miles of the state's open-access network through urban and rural areas between Los Angeles and Needles. The agreement achieved approximately 40% cost savings per mile compared to state-only construction estimates.
• California Department of Technology (CDT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2021CDT selected CENIC California Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, LLC as the Third Party Administrator (TPA) for the California middle-mile broadband network. CDT oversees the project while GoldenStateNet manages development, acquisition, construction, maintenance, and operation of the statewide open-access middle-mile broadband network.
• CaltranscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia Department of Transportation works with GoldenStateNet on construction of the middle-mile network. Caltrans conducts preconstruction work, environmental permitting processes, and integrates network construction with transportation infrastructure projects.
• California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPUC manages state broadband deployment, technical assistance, affordability, and digital equity grant programs. CPUC is simultaneously developing the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Plan in coordination with CDT.
• Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCENIC is the not-for-profit sole member of CENIC California MMBI, LLC (GoldenStateNet). CENIC serves 12,000 institutions including schools, libraries, colleges, universities, healthcare institutions, Tribes, scientific and cultural organizations, and 20 million Californians. CENIC provides operational expertise and key partnerships including broadband consortia, metropolitan and rural planning organizations, and community-based organizations.
• Job Order Contractors and Construction FirmsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConstruction contracts awarded through Job Order Contracts (JOC) and Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) methods. As of October 2022, 7,900 miles in construction bids had been received and were being evaluated by CDT and Caltrans.
• California Broadband CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia Broadband Council members and state agency partners implement the Broadband for All Action Plan and coordinate efforts to promote enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Zayo Group: Large private operator of long-haul and metro fiber infrastructure across North America. Comparable as a terrestrial long-haul fiber backbone competitor whose wholesale middle-mile routes overlap with GoldenStateNet's planned corridors and could compete for last-mile provider backhaul leases.
• AT&T: Largest U.S. wireline carrier with significant California fiber footprint. Comparable as an incumbent last-mile and middle-mile provider whose existing infrastructure will both interconnect with and compete against GoldenStateNet's open-access network.
• Consolidated Communications: Regional fiber and broadband operator recently taken private by Searchlight Capital and T-Mobile. Comparable as a mid-sized wireline carrier offering middle-mile and fiber-to-the-premises services in similar rural/underserved markets, now being absorbed by a national player.
• Crown Castle: Owner and operator of large-scale fiber and tower infrastructure across the U.S. Comparable as a fiber-infrastructure wholesaler whose California fiber footprint overlaps with GoldenStateNet's open-access middle-mile build.
• Lumen Technologies: Major U.S. wireline carrier operating one of the largest intercity fiber networks. Comparable in terrestrial long-haul fiber backbone operations; a potential wholesale customer and competitor for middle-mile capacity serving California last-mile providers.

Regional players

• C Spire: Mississippi-based diversified communications operator expanding fiber broadband across the Southeast. Comparable as a regional fiber-builder pursuing state-supported broadband expansion in underserved markets, with business model parallels to the last-mile providers GoldenStateNet aims to serve.
• TDS Telecom: Regional ILEC operating fiber-to-the-home networks across multiple U.S. states. Comparable as a fiber operator serving rural and small-town markets similar to GoldenStateNet's last-mile provider customer base, though not on the West Coast.

Direct peers

• UTOPIA Fiber: Open-access municipal fiber network in Utah owned by a consortium of cities. Comparable in open-access wholesale business model, multi-tenant last-mile enablement, and public-benefit orientation; closest U.S. analog to GoldenStateNet's open-access middle-mile approach.
• Longmont NextLight: City-owned municipal broadband utility in Longmont, Colorado operating an open-access fiber network. Comparable as a publicly-sponsored open-access fiber operator targeting underserved premises with multi-ISP interconnection, smaller-scale analog to GoldenStateNet's mandate.
• Arcadian Infracom: Infrastructure developer specializing in middle-mile and long-haul fiber projects. Direct comparable as a private partner constructing open-access middle-mile fiber (306-mile Los Angeles–Needles segment with CDT), with the same SB 156 cost-sharing economics that drive GoldenStateNet's deployment model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/goldenstatenet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GoldenStateNet