California has another opportunity to expand high-speed internet for millions of residents — while strengthening the industry for the future. But time is of the essence to make this happen.
A year ago, Verizon requested that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approve its acquisition of Frontier, another major internet provider serving many Californians. The Commission has led a thoughtful, systematic process considering the evidence and consumer input. As a part of this process, Verizon has made commitments that’ll deliver big wins for California: connecting 75,000 households to fiber, add 250 new 5G cell sites that’ll improve wireless communications, create 600 new jobs for skilled union workers, generate $40 million to get 100,000 low-income households online, and invest $500 million for small businesses
This merger, and the commitments made by Verizon, represent a major step towards closing the digital divide and achieving the Governor’s Broadband for All initiative.