CENIC FORMED GOLDENSTATENET TO BUILD AFFORDABLE OPEN-ACCESS BROADBAND CONNECTIONS THROUGH MIDDLE-MILE INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS CALIFORNIA. THE MIDDLE MILE PROVIDES VITAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE GLOBAL INTERNET AND LAST MILE PROVIDERS. THE EFFORT PRIORITIZES AREAS THAT HAVE NO ACCESS TO THE GLOBAL INTERNET OR SLOW AND INEFFECTIVE CONNECTIONS. THIS LEAVES MANY HOUSEHOLDS AND COMMUNITY ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS AT A SEVERE DISADVANTAGE AS THEY ARE UNABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BROADBAND-ENABLED SERVICES SUCH AS TELEHEALTH, REMOTE WORK, AND REMOTE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS. GOLDENSTATENET INTENDS TO WORK WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS TO BRIDGE THIS DIGITAL DIVIDE AND TO CREATE DIGITAL EQUITY FOR ALL CALIFORNIANS.