A New Chapter of Digital Equity Work in California

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Round-Up for the Week of Jan 15-19, 2024

 All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are currently working on digital equity plans. As they release draft plans seeking public feedback, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is sharing summaries focused on how states define their digital divides and their vision for reaching digital equity.

The California Department of Technology has released its draft Digital Equity Plan to the public for comment. Californians’ ability to access and use broadband internet is the difference between being able to fully engage in today’s digital economy and being cut off. Yet there is a persistent digital divide in California. One in five residents lacks access to able, high-speed broadband, affordable internet service and devices, and the ning and skills to use them. The State’s Digital Equity Plan and the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Five-Year Action Plan represent the next chapters in the evolution of the state’s Broadband for All program, the Newsom Administration’s comprehensive, multi-billion-do program to close the digital divide. The deadline for public comments on the draft Digital Equity Plan is January 25, 2024.

California's Vision for Digital Equity

Under the banner of Broadband for All—California’s commitment to closing the digital divide—the state seeks to realize the following vision by the end of 2028:

A California in which all residents have access to high-performance broadband, affordable service and devices, and the training and support necessary to enable digital inclusion for economic and other social benefits.

Covered Populations and Barriers to Digital Equity

In total, 33.5 million Californians – 85 percent of the State’s population – belong to one or more of the covered populations identified in the Digital Equity Act.

The percentages of each covered population out of California's total population are as follows:

• Individuals who live in low-income households: 20 percent
• Aging individuals: 20 percent
• Incarcerated individuals: 0.5 percent
• Veterans: 4 percent
• Individuals with disabilities: 10 percent
• Individuals with a language barrier: 48 percent
• Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group: 61 percent
• Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area: 6 percent

Individuals who live in low-income households

Specific barriers include:

• Lack of awareness of low cost offers and ACP
• Lack of adequate connections to multi-dwelling units (MDUs) and subsidized housing
• Individual units within MDUs and subsidized housing are not accurately counted on State and Federal Broadband Maps
• Industry business practices constrain service availability/options where multiple families reside in the same unit

Among lower-income online public survey respondents who were completely unconnected, 77 percent of respondents cited the Internet being too expensive as a reason by they do not subscribe to home internet, and 21% cited the lack of internet availability as the reason why they do not subscribe to home internet access.

Further, there are barriers specific to multi-dwelling units (MDUs), including public housing; access to MDUs and public housing buildings poses a barrier to internet connectivity. In addition, MDUs pose a data challenge, as individual units within these buildings are often inaccurately accounted for in state and federal broadband mapping efforts.

Aging individuals

Specific barriers include:

• Lack of perceived need
• Inadequate devices/technology
• Lack of digital skills training

Aging individuals face several barriers to digital equity, including a lack of perceived need and a lack of adequate devices and technology. They also need services, devices, outreach, training, and support to be offered in-language. In addition, aging individuals often lack the digital skills and training opportunities needed to use technology.

Older adults expressed fear of being scammed or taken advantage of when getting online. When compared to the overall online public survey population, a greater share of aging individuals—more than one in four respondents who identified as aging—felt less than comfortable when connecting a computer or smartphone to a Wi-Fi network. The trend on the online public survey was consistent among aging individuals for other basic skills, as well, such as sending an email with an attached image or document or searching for information about jobs and healthcare. This lack of comfort with technology can be a significant barrier to using digital resources.

Incarcerated individuals

Specific barriers include:

• Lack of training during incarceration
• Housing & economic insecurity
• Evolution of technology

The unique barriers faced by incarcerated individuals include lack of digital skills training during incarceration, housing, and economic insecurity upon their re-entry to society, and the rapid evolution of technology that occurs while incarcerated. According to the NTIA’s Digital Equity Act Population Viewer, incarcerated individuals make up 0.5 percent of California’s total population. There are 199,000 incarcerated individuals living in prisons, county jails, and detention centers in California who experience these specific barriers.

Through its engagements with these entities, CDT learned that during incarceration, individuals have limited access to digital tools such as video calls and have lower call quality, resulting in dropping, breaking up, and merging with other calls. In addition, Individuals who have been incarcerated for an extensive amount of time have a particularly difficult time with their reentry process if they have not been exposed to the technological advances that have occurred during their time in the prison system. To address this, the California Department of Corrections and (CDCR) Rehabilitation has partnered with CDT to contract with a vendor to enable access to technology and communications via email, and video and audio calls using tablets and kiosks for incarcerated individuals in state prisons. Activities on devices are monitored for safety and security. Access to educational and rehabilitative content, as well as enhanced connectivity to families and communities via these devices, are just some of the direct benefits of the ongoing rollout of tablets throughout the State prison system. For the L.A. County Jail System, however, connectivity for the 15,000 inmates is more challenging, as buildings are old and made of concrete, and Wi-Fi access is not available, even for office staff. Internet connections are hardwired and limited, as there is no ability to install data ports in every cell. The L.A. County Jail System recently sought proposals to partner with a vendor to provide each inmate with access to Wi-Fi and tablets for reading materials, email access, and video calls.

The Santa Clara County Office of Diversion and Reentry Services recently conducted a survey with assistance from Summer Fellows from Stanford University. A total of 102 surveys were administered to male and female inmates from the Elmwood Jail, partly to assess internet and device access and usage. A majority (56%) of those surveyed were between 25 and 40 years of age, and over 60 percent self-identified as belonging to a racial or ethnic minority. Twenty-seven percent indicated they had no income prior to incarceration, and 75 percent had been incarcerated for one year or less. Nearly 54 percent indicated they do not own any devices, 26 percent said they did not know how to access digital devices, and 43 percent reported that not knowing how to afford technology would be the biggest challenge.

Veterans

Specific barriers include:

• Mistrust of government and corporations
• Economic and housing insecurity
• Lack of digital skills and training

Veterans experience unique barriers, including mistrust of government and corporations, economic and housing insecurity, and lack of digital skills and training. Additionally, Veterans are unaware of State or federal subsidy programs, such as the ACP, and how to access them. Barriers expand to accessing virtual healthcare services since medical records and many health services begin by accessing the internet, and Veterans do not have the digital skills and training required

Individuals with disabilities

Specific barriers include:

• Inadequate accessible hardware and software
• Training on hardware and software
• Accessibility of online services

The recent significant increase in broadband access by individuals with disabilities “is a remarkable shift in historical trends that brings this disadvantaged group within close distance from the rest of the population.” Ninety-one percent of telephone respondents who self-reported having a member in the household with a disability also cited having internet service.

Individuals with disabilities experience unique barriers when it comes to digital training. A lack of access to accessible hardware and software, as well as the inaccessibility of online services, often limits those with disabilities from engaging with technology. For example, barriers noted include the lack of an inclusive digital space including top-of- the-line accessibility features for Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

In addition, there is a need for additional hardware and software training for this covered population. Compared to the overall survey respondents, a greater share of individuals with disabilities felt less than comfortable when performing basic, intermediate, and advanced digital skills. About three-quarters of respondents who identified as having a disability rarely or never use the Internet to search for available housing, compared to 63 percent of the overall online public survey respondents.

Individuals with a language barrier

Specific barriers include:

• Mistrust of government and corporations
• Information in primary language
• Literacy in primary language
• Digital skills training in language

Individuals with language barriers face unique challenges, especially related to the availability of information and digital skills training in an individual’s primary language. This lack of language-specific resources can make it difficult to build skills, and compared to the overall survey population, a greater share of respondents with limited English proficiency feels less than comfortable when performing basic, intermediate, and advanced digital skills.

Workshop and outcome area working group participants raised concerns about the lack of digital skills training in their native language, and particularly, in Indigenous languages. In addition, a mistrust of government and corporations presents a barrier to providing resources and support that individuals are comfortable with.

Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group

Specific barriers include:

• Mistrust of government and corporations
• Information in primary language
• Literacy in primary language
• Digital skills training in language

One example of a unique barrier for those who are members of racial or ethnic minority groups is the availability of digital skills training resources in multiple languages. Online public survey respondents belonging to a racial or ethnic minority group demonstrated a high interest in such resources: 43 percent are interested in Internet or computer training classes, compared to 33 percent of overall respondents. In addition, a mistrust of government and corporations presents a barrier to providing resources and support that individuals are comfortable with.

Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area

Specific barriers include:

• Infrastructure
• Competition
• Wildfires and disasters
• Isolation and distance from support

Residents in rural areas face unique barriers. A lack of infrastructure and lack of competition limit residents’ options. Of the online public survey respondents that primarily reside in rural areas, 48 percent described their Internet service at home, in terms of speed and reliability, as not adequate (compared to 31% of all respondents). Participants from rural areas (inclusive of tribal community members) noted in multiple engagement scenarios that a lack of sufficient broadband infrastructure is a significant barrier. As one individual put it, “Our biggest barrier is the availability of broadband, and whether that broadband is adequate.”

According to Internet speed test data from the online public survey, rural residents had the greatest share of respondents with inadequate Internet speeds, with 44 percent of speed test respondents who lived in rural areas having inadequate download speeds below 25 Mbps (compared to 27% of overall speed test respondents).

One notable finding is the interest in digital training; 26 percent of online public survey respondents residing in rural areas are interested in Internet or computer training classes. However, 22 percent of online public survey respondents residing in rural areas cannot access support with devices or the internet in their community, which is an added unique barrier. In addition, the presence of wildfires and disasters coupled with distance from support resources presents a challenge.

Goals and Objectives

Through existing data and new datasets developed for the draft Digital Equity Plan, the State has identified the following baseline conditions against which it will measure progress.

Goal 1: All Californians have high-performance broadband available at home, schools, libraries, and businesses.

Objective 1.1 Increase the percentage of Californians who are connected to broadband internet service.

• Baseline: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data estimates 306,910 unserved locations (locations without 25/3 Mbps service) and an additional 151,107 underserved locations (lacking 100/20 Mbps service)—the basis for California’s BEAD funding allocation. According to a representative sample of Californians surveyed for this Plan, 91 percent are connected to broadband, indicating that an estimated 3.5 million Californians remain unconnected to internet service due to limited infrastructure, affordability issues, and other barriers. The covered populations that are among the least connected include low-income households (81%), individuals with language barriers (81%), individuals who primarily reside in a rural area (86%), and Hispanic or Latin(o) households (88%).
• Target: All Californians to be connected to broadband service by 2030.

Objective 1.2 Increase the percentage of Community Anchor Institutions that are connected to broadband internet service.

• Baseline: As part of its planning process for the BEAD program, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is evaluating current levels of connectivity among community anchor institutions in the state.
• Target: All Community Anchor Institutions have gigabit service by 2030.

Objective 1.3 Increase the percentage of Californians who report that their internet service is reliable.

• Baseline: Although 91 percent of Californians are connected to broadband service, only 62 percent report that their service is reliable for their household needs.
• Target: 100 percent of Californians have reliable internet service that is adequate for their household and business needs by 2030.

Objective 1.4 Increase the percentage of Californians who have a choice of at least three internet service providers.

• Baseline: Consumer choice is an important part of a thriving marketplace for internet service and has been correlated to broadband affordability, but CPUC’s 2018 Competition Report found that 35 percent of California households have access to only one provider offering service greater than 25/3 Mbps, and only 6.8 percent have access to three providers offering service greater than 25/3 Mbps.
• Target: All Californians have access to at least three internet service providers by 2030.

Goal 2: All Californians have access to affordable broadband and necessary devices.

Objective 2.1 Decrease the percentage of Californians who cite cost as the primary barrier to internet service.

• Baseline: Sixty-one percent of households who do not adopt internet service say that the cost of internet service is the main reason they do not subscribe. This percentage is meaningfully higher for covered populations and other digitally disadvantaged communities.
• Target: Reduce the percentage of households that cite cost as the reason for not adopting internet service by 2026.

Objective 2.2 Reduce the percentage of Californians who rely solely on a smartphone to use the internet.

• Baseline: While the percentage of Californians who rely solely on a smartphone to use the internet has been cut in half over the last two years, more than 1.1 million (3%) Californians still cannot make full use of the internet because they do not have a computer or tablet. This percentage is significantly higher for covered populations, including the 23 percent of low-income households who currently rely solely on a smartphone for internet use.
• Target: Reduce the percentage of Californians who rely solely on a smartphone by 50 percent every two years.

Objective 2.3 Increase the percentage of Californians enrolled in low-cost internet options and subsidies, including the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

• Baseline: Approximately 2.74 million of 5.84 million eligible households (47%) are enrolled in ACP, but 77 percent of unconnected households remain unaware of the program, and only 22 percent of survey respondents are aware of low-cost options from internet service providers (ISPs).
• Target: Nienty-nine percent of ACP-eligible households are enrolled in ACP by the end of 2024, and 98 percent by 2027.

Objective 2.4 Reduce the average cost that covered populations pay for internet service.

• Baseline: Californians spend an average $83.60 per month on broadband, with notable variations among covered populations. Covered populations that report paying more than the average cost include aging individuals, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Target: Average costs are reduced for covered populations and fewer households cite cost as the reason for not adopting internet service by 2026.

Goal 3: All Californians can access training and support to enable digital inclusion.

Objective 3.1 Increase the availability of digital literacy, cybersecurity, and skills training programs.

• Baseline: While it is difficult to quantify a baseline for this objective, locally based service providers have shared details of more than 270 programs currently offering digital skills training in the state through this digital equity planning process. These programs are complemented by numerous other programs supported by CPUC, the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), and other entities. Implementation of the Digital Equity Plan will help identify gaps in the availability of these programs more clearly.
• Target: Expand the number of Californians, especially those who identify as part of a covered population or digitally disadvantaged community, who received digital literacy, cybersecurity, or digital skills training by 50 percent by 2026 and 75 percent by 2030.

Objective 3.2 Increase the percentage of Californians who have access to technical support services for internet-connected devices.

• Baseline: Technical support for computers and other devices is an essential component of digital equity, but 22 percent of survey respondents say they do not have access to these services in their household or community. Covered populations that have the least access to services include low-income households, aging individuals, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with language barriers.
• Target: Increase the amount of digital navigation services provided by 2028.

Objective 3.3 Reduce the percentage of Californians whose concerns for privacy and cybersecurity prevent broadband adoption or effective use.

• Baseline: Even as privacy and cybersecurity are increasing concerns for digital equity, 42 percent of telephone respondents cite concerns over privacy as a barrier to home internet.
• Target: Reduce the share of Californians, especially those who identify as part of a covered population or digitally disadvantaged community, whose concerns about privacy and cybersecurity impact their use of the internet by 50 percent by 2026, and by 75 percent by 2030.

Objective 3.4 Increase the percentage of Californians who possess basic, intermediate, and advanced digital literacy skills.

• Baseline: Nearly one in three Californians who lack broadband at home cite limited digital skills as one of the reasons for not subscribing. 30 Thirty-three percent of online survey respondents are interested in internet or computer training classes—a figure that rises to 77 percent for some covered populations.
• Target: Reduce the share of Californians, especially those who identify as part of a covered population or digitally disadvantaged community, who lack basic digital literacy skills by 50 percent by 2026, and by 75 percent by 2030.

Objective 3.5 Expand the number of broadband infrastructure and technology jobs among covered populations.

• Baseline: According to the Fiber Broadband Association, “fiber workers are predominantly white (59.6%) and male (89.8%) and skew older than the median age worker in the US at 44 years old.”
• Target: There is an increase in the number of individuals who identify as part of a covered population hired for broadband infrastructure and technology jobs.

Objective 3.6 Increase the percentage of Californians who utilize the internet to apply for or use public benefits and other essential services and can participate in civic and social engagement online.

• Baseline: An estimated 46 percent of Californians—and only 21 percent of those without an internet subscription or who only use a smartphone—use the internet for telehealth. Fifty-five percent of online survey respondents rarely or never use the internet to apply for or use public benefits like CalFresh, SNAP, Medi-Cal, or Social Security.
• Target: Increase the share of Californians, especially those who identify as part of a covered population or digitally disadvantaged community, who utilize the internet to apply for or use public benefits and other essential services and can participate in civic and social engagement online by 50 percent by 2026, and by 75 percent by 2030.

Key Activities

This Digital Equity Plan will help realize the vision of Broadband for All through seven key activities.

1. Expedite and complete existing Broadband for All infrastructure efforts.

The California Department of Technology (CDT), CPUC, and other state agencies tasked with building out broadband infrastructure will continue and expedite the build-out of existing Broadband for All investments and BEAD-funded projects. Increasing the miles constructed, the number of ISPs providing service, and the number of connected homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions, will increase the level and quality of internet service available to residents in California.

• Continue to leverage and explore all current and future funding. Multiple state agencies already provide funding in support of digital equity, and these agencies will work to ensure they are seeking the maximum in federal and State funding to support this work, as well as leveraging private investment through public-private partnerships that serve the public interest.
• Coordinate and deploy last-mile programs to connect to Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI). MMBI is a catalytic investment to enable last-mile broadband infrastructure buildouts in communities throughout the state. This Plan recognizes CPUC’s critical role in providing capital funding for such buildouts and CDT’s role in ensuring quality, cost-effective MMBI connections. Nonetheless, many other activities in this Plan will also strengthen last-mile programs by supporting service adoption, which is essential to the long-term operational sustainability of those networks.
• Ensure new broadband infrastructure is resilient to wildfires and disasters. Given California's susceptibility to natural disasters, such as wildfires and earthquakes, this plan recognizes the need to ensure that infrastructure deployments include best practices for resiliency.
• Promote interim alternative technology solutions. Support the development of public/private partnerships to explore ways to develop and promote alternative technology solutions, as some communities cannot wait for broadband infrastructure to be built out.
• Promote the use of inclusive apprenticeships throughout network development. As the network grows, so does the demand for jobs. This Plan encourages the creation of public-private partnerships for broadband infrastructure and tech training programs, with a particular focus on hiring and training local individuals who are part of covered populations and those who live in communities that have historically been under-connected.

2. Convene digital equity stakeholders to strengthen collaboration.

Californians working in digital inclusion have much to learn from one another, from sharing lived experiences to lessons learned from implementing digital inclusion programs on the ground. CDT will work to further strengthen partnerships by sustaining engagement and collaboration with organizations that provide digital inclusion services. This will include extending forums for engagement and outreach developed prior to and during the digital equity planning process to consult and empower covered populations and other digitally disadvantaged communities to help plan and implement strategies to achieve digital equity. Those intended to be served must be involved in planning and delivering the services.

3. Evolve broadband and digital equity data and maps.

CPUC is actively working to improve statewide data regarding broadband availability and related attributes from ISPs. CDT will also work to develop improved systems to track the impact of Broadband for All investments to inform future policy and funding decisions and ensure that the state is receiving its fair share of federal resources. As part of a new digital equity grant program, CDT may fund and provide resources to increase the capacity of other entities to contribute to mapping and other data-tracking efforts. CDT will also continue to invest in other data systems developed or improved for the development of this Digital Equity Plan, including statewide digital equity surveys.

4. Launch the California Connect Corps and digital equity grant program to expand community-based digital navigation and digital inclusion programs.

CDT will develop the California Connect Corps (CCC) grant program to support nonprofit organizations to conduct outreach to underserved populations to advance digital inclusion. CCC grantees would receive paid compensation, free IT career training, and supportive services during their term of service. The program will prioritize partnering with nonprofit organizations that already conduct digital navigation services, particularly among unserved and covered populations, to maximize opportunities to assist in-language and in-culture. Other functions of the CCC will include assisting with enrollment in broadband affordability subsidies, providing technical assistance with broadband-connected devices, and offering digital literacy classes.

CDT will also develop new grant programs to fund local and Tribal governments, community anchor institutions, community-based organizations, and other digital inclusion service providers to deliver comprehensive digital inclusion programs that overcome the three primary barriers for low-income households to achieve universal adoption: sign up for affordable home internet service; acquire an affordable computing device; and access digital literacy training to become digitally proficient.

This program will be designed primarily to deliver services to people where they live and gather – bringing services to wherever the people are instead of requiring people to come to the services. Programs that enable the delivery of digital inclusion services from “trusted messengers” in existing community-based organizations and institutions – social workers, health workers (e.g., promotores), educators, librarians, coaches, or faith-based mentors – who can provide support in the communities and languages in which it is needed most are essential to fostering adoption.

Examples of activities that may be eligible for funding through this grant program include:

• Development of local digital equity plans.
• Broadband adoption and ACP adoption efforts focusing on enrollment in affordable internet service programs.
• Flexible grants to existing CBOs and new entities including promotores and health navigators.
• Digital literacy training.
• Digital navigation for residents.
• Digital navigation for tribes, towns, cities, and counties.
• Targeted device distribution programs.
• Establishment of computer labs/digital literacy training programs at community centers (Senior Centers, Veterans Halls).
• Workforce development training and apprenticeships (broadband infrastructure and tech jobs).

5. Fund and expand existing State-managed digital inclusion programs.

The State will continue to work to improve and expand the myriad digital inclusion programs and services offered by State agencies and other statewide partners. Examples of state-managed programs that could be funded include the California State Library Connected California program and the California Department of Aging’s Access to Technology program.

6. Develop and promote digital inclusion tools and best practices.

Digital inclusion programs that reach the hardest to connect are best delivered in a hyper-local manner, in and by the communities most disconnected, in the languages and cultures of those communities. Nonetheless, locally based digital inclusion service providers repeatedly cite a lack of capacity to deliver these programs at the scale needed. Part of the solution to capacity-building can be to provide standard tools and resources that these providers can use and customize for their communities, saving time and cost while building on best-demonstrated practices from other providers across the state.

CDT will lead the development of new tools and resources aimed at making it easier for locally-based digital inclusion providers to realize their goals. For example, CDT will draft a public-facing handbook in collaboration with local digital inclusion practitioners that includes an overview of best practices and a menu of tools to promote digital inclusion. The State will continue to expand and promote statewide digital inclusion resources, including this handbook, in multiple languages so that digital equity collaborators from all communities may design, develop, and deliver effective digital inclusion programs.

• Develop, fund, and make available a statewide digital literacy training platform. CDT will collaborate with subject matter experts in higher education institutions in California, along with digital literacy leaders, to develop a learning management system (LMS) with accessible online digital skills modules and assessments that are multilingual and standardized for use across the state. This LMS will share existing and new CDT and State resources on privacy and online security with local jurisdictions, community-based organizations, and within the educational community. CDT will work to embed digital literacy and skills training at all levels of education, with a focus on online privacy and cybersecurity.
• Develop a statewide multilingual digital literacy training framework and certificate program. CDT will work with its partners in State government and digital literacy providers serving each covered population in communities throughout the state to integrate best practices in digital literacy training into a common framework and certificate program that support providers’ capacity to deliver digital literacy services tailored to their communities, including by ensuring that such programs are aligned to the parameters of funding opportunities like the forthcoming Digital Equity Competitive Grants from NTIA. This will include the development of a complementary framework and certificate program to support providers’ capacity to provide services consistent with universal design standards and promote the accessibility of assistive technology for all.
• Build the statewide asset inventory as a common resource for local governments, social service, workforce development, and healthcare organizations, and for all Californians. CDT will expand its efforts in digital inclusion asset mapping to create a common database of digital inclusion service providers in communities across the state and make that data available to all Californians in an interactive online resource. This effort will help the State promote the services of locally based digital inclusion service providers, as well as track where the State and local governments may need to fill gaps in the services offered to meet the needs of all covered populations and digitally disadvantaged communities.

7. Secure consumer subsidy program sustainability.

Although this Plan calls for multiple measures to overcome the fact that cost is the primary barrier to internet adoption, including billions of dollars in publicly-funded network development and the promotion of consumer choice and competition among ISPs, the State also recognizes that many low-income households will continue to need to rely on subsidized service so that they are not forced to choose between Internet service and mobile service, or even putting food on the table.

• Continue to track ACP eligibility and adoption rates statewide to understand and demonstrate California’s level of need. Using this data, CDT will work with its partners statewide and in local governments to continue to establish robust public outreach campaigns for ACP and other subsidy programs to encourage uptake, ensuring all eligible parties understand and can access the subsidies available to them through persistent statewide and hyperlocal promotion and awareness campaigns.
• Bundle outreach for ACP with other services (National School Lunch Program, Medicaid, Women Infants and Children (WIC), Pell Grants). If an eligible household is seeking multiple government benefits, it would be easier for them to sign up for all of them at the same time. CDT will work with its partners in the State government and other public benefits service providers to integrate ACP subsidies into other public benefits outreach and enrollment efforts.
• Provide ACP enrollment assistance to covered populations. The enrollment process for the ACP is not particularly easy. It is a two-step process, and even when households may be approved for the ACP, they may not utilize the subsidy to connect to broadband. Providing support for covered populations as they enroll in the ACP would help ensure that they successfully receive and apply the benefit to receive internet access.
• Advocate for improvement of ACP enrollment process and expanded eligibility. While the intent of the ACP is well-regarded, there are modifications to the program that can be made that could make the application process easier and ensure that more households are able to access the benefits.
• Advocate for an extension of ACP or a successor program or develop a State-led affordable offer. The funds available for the ACP are scheduled to run out in 2024. California will work with elected officials to support a permanent funding mechanism or similar subsidy program. The State may also consider developing a state-level program that complements federal programs to ensure internet access is accessible and affordable for those Californians who remain in need.
• Establish a data-matching agreement between the state and federal government for subsidy eligibility. California’s high cost of living relative to other states limits federal poverty thresholds from including all Californians who need a subsidy like ACP. The State and Federal government should collaborate to determine a data point that effectively represents those in California that ACP was intended to serve and can be used to determine in-state eligibility. Each of these key activities will be designed to help the State realize its objectives.

Send California Your Feedback

The deadline for public comments on the California Department of Technology's draft State Digital Equity Plan is January 25, 2024. Comments can be submitted via the Department's comment form, and comments can also be read on the state's website. More information can be found on the Department of Technology's website.

Quick Bits

• Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Response to Members of Congress Regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program
• Don’t Let ACP Lapse Over the First-time Subscriber Fallacy
• Playing Politics with the Poor: The Affordable Connectivity Program
• 174 Mayors to Congress: Renew and Extend the Affordable Connectivity Program
• Federal Funds Approved to Connect 16,000 North Carolina Homes and Businesses to High-Speed Internet

Weekend Reads (resist tl;dr)

• BEAD Program: A Framework to Allocate Funding for Broadband Availability - Version 4.0
• CAGW Reviews 50 States' BEAD Proposals
• Who Shares Your Information With Facebook?
• FCC Adopts Proposal to Support Local Journalism

ICYMI from Benton

• New Mexico's Plan for an Inclusive and Prosperous Society
• How the FCC Plans to End the Affordable Connectivity Program
• Everyone Connected: Connecticut's Digital Equity Plan
• Coloradans at the Heart of State's Digital Access Plan

Upcoming Events

Jan 22––Navigating the Post–World Radiocommunication Conference Outlook for Wireless Innovation (American Enterprise Institute)

Jan 23––Digital Equity Planning: Past, Present, and Future (Next Century Cities)

Jan 25––January 2024 Open Federal Communications Commission Meeting (FCC)

Jan 30––Disability Advisory Committee (FCC)

Jan 30––Promoting Digital Inclusivity in Rural Communities (NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association)

Feb 12—State of the Net 2024 (Internet Education Foundation)

Feb 13-15––Net Inclusion 2024 (NDIA)

Feb 15––February 2024 Open Federal Communications Commission Meeting (FCC)

Mar 14––March 2024 Open Federal Communications Commission Meeting (FCC)

Mar 25––The Right Connection (CENIC)

More in this series:

• New Mexico's Plan for an Inclusive and Prosperous Society
• Everyone Connected: Connecticut's Digital Equity Plan
• Coloradans at the Heart of State's Digital Access Plan
• Connected and Empowered: A Digital Equity Plan for Pennsylvania
• Guiding Texas' Digital Opportunity Investments
• Florida's Roadmap for Closing the Digital Divide
• Creating Digital Opportunities in Nebraska
• Developing Digital Equity Solutions in Vermont
• Working Towards Digital Equity in DC
• Oregon's Plan for Meaningful Broadband Access
• Massachusetts' Unified Vision of Digital Equity
• Alaska's Plan to Address Broadband Adversity
• Georgia's Plan for Digital Connectivity
• In a New York State of Digital Equity
• A Plan for Digital Equity in Delaware
• Equity for the Digital Age: Maryland's Plan
• North Dakota's Collective Approach to Digital Equity
• A Plan for Connecting New Jersey
• Achieving a Digitally Inclusive Ohio
• A Digital Access Plan for All Idahoans
• Envisioning a Connected, Interconnected Alabama
• Missouri Pursues Sustainable Digital Opportunity Initiatives
• A Digital Equity Plan to Connect All Kansans
• South Dakota's Plan to Leverage Digital Equity to Reach Economic Goals
• Aloha Spirit Inspires Hawai'i Digital Equity Plan
• The Plan for Closing Nevada’s Digital Divide
• Wisconsin's Digital Equity Values
• ¡Su opinión cuenta! Puerto Rico Releases Initial Draft of Digital Equity Plan | ¡Su Opinión Cuenta! Puerto Rico Pública el Borrador Inicial del Plan de Equidad Digital
• Kentucky Pursues Full and Equitable Digital Access for All
• Tennessee Drafts a Digital Opportunity Plan
• Washington State Sets Digital Equity Goals
• West Virginia's Plan to Conquer the Digital Divide
• Wyoming Seeks Feedback on Digital Access Plan
• Communities Know Communities Best: Michigan's Digital Equity Plan
• Montana's Digital Opportunity Plan
• Achieving Digital Independence in Utah
• Maine's Vision of Digital Equity
• A Look at Louisiana's Draft Digital Equity Plan

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities.

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