Broadband is essential infrastructure for the 21st century. Schools, offices, retail, entertainment, governments, and medical and public services rely on online platforms, offering significant time savings and a digital avenue for economic prosperity. However, broadband is still far from a universal service across the state. Within the SCAG region alone, approximately 15 percent of all households, disproportionately located in underserved, urban communities and rural communities, do not have access to adequate internet service.
Broadband is still considered relatively expensive, and studies show that prices are a significant barrier to access. Digital competency also plays a role, with nearly 52 percent of adults reporting they are “relatively hesitant” regarding new technologies and digital skills. Finally, physical infrastructural gaps create another significant barrier to adoption.
SCAG’s Commitment
SCAG’s Regional Council adopted Resolution No. 21-629-2 in February 2021, which pledges SCAG to assist in bridging the digital divide in underserved communities. The resolution recognizes the digital divide and directs staff to develop a broadband action plan and or program. Since the adoption of the resolution, SCAG has identified several key action items:
- Collect and invest in broadband data and develop detailed broadband maps and opportunity zones.
- Assist in securing funding for local jurisdictions and internet service providers to invest in broadband infrastructure in underserved communities.
- Conduct studies to develop solutions and strategies to assist in rapid deployment of broadband technology and technical studies that evaluate the benefits of broadband (e.g., reduced vehicle miles traveled).
SCAG is committed to helping bridge the digital divide and increase broadband access in underserved communities throughout Southern California.
Broadband Permit Streamlining
A lack of broadband infrastructure contributes to Southern California’s digital divide—the disparities in access to high-quality internet from community to community, and individual to individual. Removing permitting challenges—such as a lack of process transparency, high resource requirements, inconsistencies in fees, and long permitting processes—would ease infrastructure deployment and help bridge the digital divide.
SCAG’s “Broadband Permit Streamlining Report” and “Broadband Permit Streamlining Model Ordinance” provide model permitting standards and practices to help local governments and permitting agencies streamline deployment of broadband infrastructure in underserved areas.
Regional Planning Resources
Resolutions
Reports and Workshops
Resources
Maps and Data
Welcome to the Broadband Maps and Data Library.
Fixed Broadband Map
Community Anchor Institutions
Public Subsidized Housing
Fiber Presence
Broadband Speed Test
Broadband Affordable Plans
State and Federal Initiatives and Funding Resources
Local Agency Technical Assistance Grants
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) established the Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA) grant program for eligible pre-construction work facilitating broadband network projects in areas in need. The program has a $50 million budget for eligible local agencies and Tribal entities in California, including $5 million set aside for Tribes.
The LATA program began accepting grant applications on Aug. 1, 2022. In total, the LATA Program awarded $50 million in funding to 106 local agencies and Tribal organizations in California.
More information and application materials can be found on the LATA program website.
Statewide Open-Access Middle-Mile Network
Signed into law in July 2021, Senate Bill 156 invests $6 billion statewide over three years to expand broadband infrastructure, improve affordability, and enhance access to broadband for all Californians. This includes constructing a $3.25 billion state-owned open-access middle-mile broadband network. In November 2021, the California Department of Technology announced a significant investment in broadband infrastructure, identifying 18 initial broadband projects statewide and four corridors in the SCAG region. For more information, visit the California Department of Technology website.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Congress took a significant step forward in providing broadband access to the entire country. The IIJA invests $65 billion in broadband, for which $48.2 billion will be administered by the newly established Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This investment will leverage NTIA’s experience in promoting broadband infrastructure development and digital inclusion efforts through its Broadband USA initiative as well as current grant programs, including the Broadband Infrastructure Program, the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, and the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. Additionally this investment will enhance other, established Federal broadband initiatives offered through the U.S. Treasury, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Communications Commission. For more information, visit the Broadband USA website.
Partnership to Close the Digital Divide
SCAG and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) conducted a joint request for qualifications to seek partnerships to deploy broadband infrastructure and provide high-quality and affordable broadband service to residents, businesses, public agencies, educational institutions, and Tribes in the Southern California region. Selected firms will be short-listed and may co-author grant applications with SCAG and SANDAG to obtain funding for broadband projects. For more information on this competitive process, contact Roland Ok at Ok@scag.ca.gov.
