Help Close the Digital Equity Gap at the Southern Border Broadband for All, Digital Equity and BEAD Regional Planning Workshop

The internet is critical to everyday life. Yet one out of five Californians, including many in Imperial and San Diego Counties, lack access to affordable, reliable broadband service, devices, and the skills to use them. As a result, millions in our state are unable to access essential government services and realize other social and economic benefits. This gap is referred to as the “digital divide” which most impacts low-income households, seniors, the disabled, veterans, incarcerated individuals, members of racial and ethnic minority groups, those with language barriers and low levels of literacy, and rural residents.

Broadband for All is the state’s overarching program to close the digital divide and foster digital equity in our communities. California has invested billions of dollars to achieve Broadband for All and ensure that every resident has access to economical and dependable internet, devices, and skills training. But more needs to be done.

That is why the Southern Border Broadband Consortium, Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation, California Department of Technology (CDT), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), other state agencies and local partners are hosting a Broadband for All, Digital Equity, and Broadband Equity, Adoption, and Deployment (BEAD) Regional Planning Workshop on April 21, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the San Diego Central Library. Organizations and community members are invited to take part in the development of the State’s Digital Equity and BEAD Five-Year Action Plans that will determine how future federal dollars are allocated to address digital inequities in the community.

The State Digital Equity and BEAD 5-Year Action Plans are a key part of California’s efforts to promote innovation, digital inclusion, and adoption across the state. Developing these plans will be major milestones toward ensuring affordable, reliable internet access for everyone in the Southern Border region, so it is crucial that as many community members as possible participate in this planning process to offer their input which will inform the State’s Digital Equity and BEAD Plans.

This event is one of a series of 20 Broadband for All, Digital Equity and BEAD Planning Regional Workshops being held throughout the state. At the workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback on both plans, discuss how to make them more effective, and connect with others who are committed to digital equity.

The Workshop is free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact us:

To attend, RSVP by clicking on this link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/601701283737 to secure your spot.

To learn more about the State Digital Equity Plan, please visit broadbandforall.cdt.ca.gov.

To learn more about the BEAD program, visit https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/internet-and-phone/broadband-implementation-for-california/bead-program.