Closing the digital divide requires significant public investment. While California has pledged substantial funding, it is imperative that we follow through on those commitments.
In Alpine County, located between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, where I live and serve as a county supervisor, public broadband investment would be a lifeline for our unserved rural communities. With well over half of the county population lacking essential internet access — crucial for education, business and public safety — and facing limited financial options and interest from private providers, our hopes rely significantly on state and federal investment. While my primary concern is getting high-speed broadband to rural counties, a lack of high-speed broadband is also a problem for many that live in disadvantaged urban areas.
In 2021, California committed to closing the digital divide, passing Senate Bill 156 and establishing an action plan to obtain “broadband for all.” This historic bill pledged a $6 billion investment to expand broadband access, including the development of a state-owned open-access middle-mile network and funding to establish last-mile infrastructure (the fiber lines needed to connect individual homes and businesses to the internet).
In response to and anticipation of this funding, local governments and organizations began mobilizing by conducting studies and developing community-driven project plans through state-funded initiatives, like the Local Area Technical Assistance program, to deploy last-mile infrastructure.
Almost three years since the passage of SB 156, communities across California are still awaiting funding distribution to connect the unserved and underserved. Despite progress, concerns persist regarding the state’s commitment and capability to fund last-mile infrastructure fully.
Estimating a budget deficit of at least $37.9 billion, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed in his January budget an overall reduction to last-mile investments by $250 million in addition to nearly $1 billion in deferrals made in last year’s state budget, stretching resources out over an additional three years. This delay will impact ongoing local planning efforts, where last-mile project plans (currently in progress and moving through regulatory processes) will inevitably face expensive design alterations, affecting their overall effectiveness and reach.
But there is hope: Despite the budget deficit, California has managed to allocate an additional $1.5 billion to the state’s middle-mile project, designed to act as the main artery for broadband infrastructure that smaller last-mile networks may connect into. Prioritizing this system reflects an incredible commitment to expanding broadband infrastructure in spite of financial challenges.
To ensure that all homes and businesses have access to high-speed and reliable internet connectivity, the state must commit to an inclusive and transparent process built on collaboration with local governments and community organizations, making certain middle-mile investments are made with last-mile connections in mind.
Eagerly awaiting the state’s implementation efforts are numerous public and private entities championing creative solutions for development of last-mile infrastructure for broadband-deprived regions of California. To be successful, these entities and organizations are looking to the state to be a collaborative partner and faithfully implement SB 156 as originally approved by the Legislature.
To follow through on commitments outlined in SB 156, state leaders must think long-term and build a system with the needs of rural and underserved communities in mind, prioritizing a fully funded, equitably planned last-mile infrastructure network. Only through these actions can California establish access to affordable, high-speed broadband internet for all.
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