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Getting and Keeping Underserved Communities Connected

Richard ChabranCalifornia Community Technology Policy Group

Committee on Energy, Utilities & Communications February 16, 2010

Digital Inclusion means…

Digital Inclusion means that everyone — regardless of who they are, where they live or how much they earn — can participate in and take advantage of the economic, educational,

health, and civic opportunities afforded by broadband and related information technology.

It means that they are producers, not just consumers.

Source: Wired for Wireless? Towards Digital Inclusion and Next Generation Government-Led Wireless Networks, 2009.

Digital Inclusion

Adoption

We Are Not Even Close to Getting There

Although most demographic groups report increases in computer ownership, Internet connectivity, and broadband adoption, a digital divide persists.

Just over half of Latinos (52%) say they have home computers, far lower than the percentage of Asians (89%), whites (87%), and blacks (75%) who do.

Only 39 percent of Latinos have a home broadband connection, compared to 75 percent of whites, 74 percent of Asians, and 62 percent of blacks.

Source: PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Information Technology, June 2009

Fiber is the future

In 2003 CENIC released One Gigabit or Bust Initiative: A broadband vision for California. In that report they note:

“One Gigabit is not a technology. It is not a transmission speed. It is not merely high bandwidth. It is not about capacity. One Gigabit is about the capabilities that the capacity makes possible.”

That capacity will enables the next transformation in how we access education and job training, employment, health care and other sectors of the economy.

Source: Gartner, One Gigabit or Bust Initiative: A broadband vision for California, 2003.

Demonstrating how it can be done

Yesterday’s LA Times op-ed authors echo this:

“Google's gigabit test bed enables innovators to show the public what the next leap in bandwidth could bring to education, medicine”

They go on to note that:

“A major impediment to improving this country's comparatively pokey broadband networks is the cost of deploying more fiber optics, but Google's engineers … believe they can build a network at significantly less expense...”

“The point … isn't to go head to head with the broadband services already offered …. It's to apply not so subtle pressure on … [existing carriers] to do more.”

Source: Los Angeles Times February 15, 2010

Availability

Tomorrow’s Digital Infrastructure is Being Built Today

(in some places)

CPUC reports high levels of broadband deployment DIVCA’s promise was for next generation broadband Its anti-discriminatory language requires that:

– Carriers providing fiber to the neighborhood must deploy to 35% of their service area in 3 years; 50% in 5 years

– Carriers providing fiber all the way to the home must deploy to 25% of their service area in 2 years; 40% in 5 years

Last two CPUC reports included general broadband data -- not the detailed data that that would provide evidence of meeting non-discriminatory benchmarks

Affordability

Free Drops Can Promote Adoption(if the unserved & underserved know about them)

Cost is a major factor limiting adoption. Current plans are beyond the reach of many. Lower rates expire after one or two years DIVCA’s legislative intent in mandating free video

and data service was to encourage broadband adoption

Both the companies and CPUC are not honoring the legislative intent by not publicizing the location of free service

Affordability

California Teleconnect Fund

The California Teleconnect Fund provides discounts to qualifying entities that provide access and training to underserved community members who can not afford broadband.

In May 2003, after significant CCTPG-led community and legislative pressure, the PUC changed the CTF eligibility and application process.

In June 2003, CCTPG began to publicize the changes, and CTF received nearly 250 applications over the next six months.

In October 2008, carriers announced they would honor the discount for DSL and applications shot up again.

Thousands more community members served after CTF eligibility, application process and implementation improved

Accessibility

Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) Wireless Pilot Program

The transition to digital services offers hope and obstacles for the disabled community. The CPUC has established an innovative pilot project that:– provides wireless discounts to the disabled

community who meet a certain low income threshold

Assistance

Digital Divide Account

AB 855 / Digital Divide Fund -- a pioneering California law– required the Department of General Services (DGS) to inventory state

property that could be leased for “wireless telecommunications facilities”– 15% of revenues from these leases to be used for a competitive grant

program funding Digital Divide pilot projects.

Thus, great potential to help unserved and underserved communities participate in the digital inclusion.

However, it has not reached its potential because it has not been fully implemented

Source: California Broadband Task Force. The State of Connectivity: Building Innovation Through Broadband, 2008

Assistance

National Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP): Missing

an opportunity

Many community-based organizations have indicated to us that they were unaware of BTOP

Some were concerned that they would be competing against entities that were reviewing proposals

Some felt the state already had selected who would receive priority

Only one California public computer access grant has been approved (City of Los Angeles) thus far

Applications

Public Educational and Government (PEG) local access channels

Public Educational & Government channels are an important application that was meant to be supported by DIVCA

Yet, 60 PEG channels have closed as a result of DIVCA

At least two municipalities are suing video franchise holders

Source: The Buske Group

Stakeholder Involvement

Digital Inclusion Policy Council

CPUC has supported three digital divide philanthropic efforts– Zero Divide– Community Collaborative Fund– California Emerging Technology Fund

Each has contributed to policy discussion As is appropriate their mission is philanthropic not policy There is a need for a digital inclusion policy council

where all stakeholders are represented

Much has been accomplished Much remains to be done

Recommendations

1. Provide strong DIVCA oversight to prevent discriminatory infrastructure deployment and assure an equal playing field for all California communities

2. Advertize free video and data services mandated by DIVCA

3. Fully implement the Digital Divide Fund in order to provide resources that will foster broadband adoption by supporting training

4. Provide effective outreach to community-based programs for federal opportunities such as BTOP

5. Develop a legislative policy group with representatives from state agencies, the non profit community-based organizations, K-20, health care agencies, and the private sector to promote digital inclusion and sets specific targets and metrics for success

Contact Information

Richard ChabranCalifornia Community Technology Policy Group

Phone: (909) 234-1768Email: chabran@cctpg.org