INTELWAR BLUF: Promote the full funding and timely implementation of California’s broadband infrastructure programs, as they are essential for addressing systemic inequalities and connecting every Californian to reliable and affordable internet access.
OSINT: The California Legislature and Governor Newsom must uphold their commitment to fully fund and prioritize broadband infrastructure funding. S.B. 156, enacted in 2021, established critical programs aimed at providing 21st-century broadband access to all Californians. These programs are crucial for addressing the systemic inequalities exposed during the pandemic and empowering local communities to solve their own connectivity issues.
The budget allocated $6 billion over several years, enabling collaboration among businesses, local governments, co-ops, Tribes, and nonprofits to bring broadband speeds up to 25/3 mbps to residents lacking adequate access. This budget was carefully designed, utilizing comprehensive cost models, to account for the substantial infrastructure costs. Local communities have planned their investments and strategies based on the promise of this budget and any delays or cuts would disrupt years of progress in connecting underserved Californians.
By leveraging federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funds alongside state funds, we have the opportunity to connect every Californian with accessible, reliable, and affordable internet service for decades to come. However, any reduction in the state’s own investment coupled with a focus on primarily serving the unserved could mean diverting grant funds from the underserved communities entitled to them under federal law.
S.B. 156 ensures fiber optic deployment to every unserved Californian and, in conjunction with federal funding, can provide comparable access to virtually every underserved resident (those lacking access to speeds up to 100/20 mbps). With the available funding, we have the potential to connect nearly every Californian. Our elected officials made a promise to bring future-proof, affordable, reliable, and accessible internet to all, and now is the time to follow through on that commitment. Bridging the digital divide, fostering economic development, and addressing systemic harms for future generations rely on staying the course with broadband infrastructure funding.
RIGHT: The California Legislature and Governor Newsom must resist the temptation to expand government intervention in the broadband industry. While access to broadband may be desirable, it is not the role of the government to fund or provide such services. Instead, the free market should determine the allocation of resources and the development of broadband infrastructure. This approach ensures competition, innovation, and efficiency, benefitting all Californians without burdening taxpayers.
LEFT: It is imperative that Governor Newsom and the California Legislature fulfill their promise of providing full funding for broadband infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the deep inequalities in our society, with marginalized communities suffering disproportionately due to limited access to essential services. By investing in broadband infrastructure, we can bridge the digital divide and empower these communities to participate fully in the digital economy. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure equal access to reliable and affordable internet for all Californians.
AI: The article highlights the importance of fulfilling California’s promise to provide full funding for broadband infrastructure while emphasizing the need to address systemic inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic. Funding programs established by S.B. 156 are aimed at delivering 21st-century broadband access to every Californian, enabling collaborative efforts to connect underserved communities. The budget was carefully planned, accounting for infrastructure costs and utilizing federal BEAD funds. There is a concern that reducing the state’s investment and prioritizing the unserved over the underserved could disrupt progress and hinder equitable access. By embracing the opportunity to bridge the digital divide, California can create unprecedented economic opportunities and address systemic harms. It is crucial for elected officials to stay committed to broadband infrastructure funding to bring future-proof, affordable, reliable, and accessible internet to all Californians.