Affordability

The total cost of "being wired". It includes price of online devices (computers, cell phones, wireless cards) and monthly service, maintenance, support, training and upgrading technology. While it is true that the price continues to drop and the capacity continues to go up the cost can be prohibitive for low income families. Only 21% of families with incomes of $30,000 annually or lower have broadband service. The prices continues to be an obstacle to enclusion.

Program Brings Computer Use Into Focus

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Published Date: 
Aug 12 2009

Source: www.theriverbanknews.com

More computers, more broadband technology and the opportunities that access to the Internet present are coming to the citizens of Riverbank and Stanislaus County.

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Humboldt State Foundation

Project:
Redwood Coast Connect

Developed a model that can be used as a template to increase broadband for the four counties of RCC - Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity. The long-term goal of the project is to make ubiquitous broadband available to all rural communities through the aggregation of users, engagement of providers, simplification of county and municipal policies and tapping the ingenuity of entrepreneurs in the region.

1st Assembly District, Wesley Chesbro
2nd Senate District, Noreen Evans
4th Senate District, Doug La Malfa
1st Congressional District, Michael Thompson

Project to Conduct Telephone Survey

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Published Date: 
May 7 2009

Source: http://www.redbluffdailynews.com

Starting in late May, the Center for Economic Development, California State University, Chico Research Foundation, will conduct a telephone survey to households and businesses in Butte, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Tehama counties.

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Federal Stimulus Dollars Could Speed Internet Access for the Underserved

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Published Date: 
Apr 17 2009

Source: www.contracostatimes.com

Decisions made long before the current recession could help California collect up to $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars earmarked to close the digital divide.

Plano School District Wants to Provide Wireless Network to Poor Students

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Published Date: 
Mar 5 2009

Source: www.dallasnews.com

Cities from San Francisco to Austin to Philadelphia have spent millions of dollars trying to create wireless networks for residents, mostly the poor. Cities teamed with large telecom companies but the networks eventually toppled because the service was too expensive and the Internet providers pulled out. But Plano ISD's idea is different, Hirsch said. Instead of creating a brand-new wireless network, the district will use the existing wireless network that is used in schools.

Major Grants to the Southeast Cities to Close the Digital Divide

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Published Date: 
Sep 11 2008

SOURCE:  www.marketwatch.com

A Three-Year Project Will Help Approximately 3,200 Residents of Los Angeles County's Southeast Cities Get Ahead with High-Speed Broadband Internet Access and Education

Broadband Initiative For Hispanic Business Owners Announced

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Published Date: 
Sep 2 2008

SOURCE: Latino Business Review

CALIFORNIA HISPANIC CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES HISPANIC BUSINESS BROADBAND INITIATIVE

TechSoup

Project:
Refurbished Computer Initiative (RCI)

Expanded its Refurbished Computer Initiative so that California non-profit organizations and low-income individuals have an ongoing resource for quality, affordable, refurbished computers.

Provided hardware, software, connectivity, and training at an affordable cost for people to fully benefit from computers and the Internet.

3rd Senate District, Mark Leno
13th Assembly District, Tom Ammiano
8th Congressional District, Nancy Pelosi

 

Southeast Community Development Corporation

Project:
Southeast Cities Technology Collaborative

Increasing access to broadband and providing training to improve the health and educational outcomes in the Southeast Los Angeles region.

The Collaborative is providing basic Digital Literacy to 3,200 youth and adults, preparing 2,700 adults for the workforce, placing 150 in jobs, and assisting 800 families subscribe to broadband.

46th Assembly District, John Perez
50th Assembly District , Ricardo Lara
30th Senate District, Ron Calderon
34th Congressional District, Lucille Roybal-Allard

 

El Concilio of San Mateo County

Project:
WiFi 101

Increasing computer ownership through a school laptop program; increasing broadband connectivity by expanding Community Wireless to 50 non-profit organizations and 3,000 users; training 90 community members to provide tech support; offering workforce training; and developing and improving technology access and awareness to 1,000 area residents.

19th Assembly District, Jerry Hill
8th Senate District, Leland Yee
9th Congressional District, Jackie Speier