Time is now to expand Californians’ access to broadband

California should follow the lead of other well-managed states and streamline its broadband application process and focus on connecting unserved areas and promoting public-private partnerships. Streamlining California’s broadband application process will maximize the funding that needs to be allocated so unserved communities can get connected to broadband. That is the goal of AB 2749, authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk Silva (D-CA). The proposed bill will accelerate the deployment of critical infrastructure to California’s last remaining unserved communities. It provides strict guidelines for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to review broadband infrastructure grant applications in a timely manner so that unserved communities won’t have to wait even longer for broadband service. This is essential if the CPUC is to meet the deadlines for federal funding requirements.

[Jonathan Spalter is the president and CEO of USTelecom-The Broadband Association.]