LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis released the following statement after the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved her motion to address concerns over broadband infrastructure grants bypassing several families in Los Angeles County.
The Federal government has allocated $42 billion nationwide, and the State of California dedicated $2 billion statewide to address digital equity to help local governments make the internet accessible and affordable in underserved communities. However, recently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) released separate maps of proposed priority areas for broadband infrastructure grants. Based on the current priority criteria, most of Los Angeles County will be extremely disadvantaged in competing for our fair share of available funds.
“Los Angeles County is the country’s largest county with over 400,000 households without internet service,” said Supervisor Solis. “These households are in our most densely populated communities, are communities of color, and are our lowest income households. They cannot be left out of this historic investment. We must advocate for our most vulnerable residents. They deserve better.”
The motion approved today directs the County’s Chief Executive Office in collaboration with the Internal Service Department to send a five-signature letter to the California Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to express concerns about the lack of equity focus on the available funding and request reconsideration of the priority areas.
To read the full motion, click here.
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