California's broadband plan could leave out one of its least connected communities: East Oakland

California is expected to significantly scale down a multibillion-dollar plan to expand high-speed broadband networks soon. And the data the state is using to make the amendments is inaccurate, experts and advocates say, meaning lower-income areas with some of the lowest rates of internet access, like East Oakland, could lose out the most. In pockets of Alameda County, which includes East Oakland, up to 38% of residents don’t have internet access, nearly triple the 13% statewide average. That adds up to nearly 94,000 Oakland residents who lack internet access. Parts of South Central Los Angeles have similar proportions of residents without broadband services, amounting to about 416,000 Los Angeles County residents. Yet, it’s internet deserts in East Oakland and South Central Los Angeles, as well as those in Wasco (Kern County) and Stockton (San Joaquin County), that will be left behind if the state forgoes development of internet infrastructure. Proposed spending cuts for middle-mile infrastructure in East Oakland and South Central Los Angeles will save the state about $28 million. In total, the state is expected to save about $765 million by scaling down middle-mile development.