In August 2020, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-73-20PDF to improve digital connectivity across the state. The order directed the Broadband Council to develop a statewide Broadband Action Plan and promote digital equity throughout California.
The Broadband Council completed the Broadband for All Action Plan in December of 2020, just four short months later. For progress status toward the completion of Action Plan items, visit the Broadband Action Plan progress tracker.
Executive order item status
The first and last columns map executive order items as they are carried over to corresponding Action Plan items.
| Executive order item | Description | Lead | Status | Action plan item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pursue minimum broadband speeds to guide infrastructure investments | California Broadband Council | In progress | 1 |
| 2 | Develop Broadband Action Plan | California Broadband Council | Complete | All |
| 3 | Data and mapping efforts | California Public Utilities Commission | In progress | 19 |
| 4 | Convene private sector companies to understand/predict broadband demand | California Department of Technology, Department of General Services, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development | In progress | 6 |
| 5 | Catalogue state and federal funding opportunities | Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development | Complete | 2 |
| 6 | State contracting and procurement | California Department of Technology, Department of General Services | In progress | 14 |
| 7 | Installation of conduit and/or fiber into all appropriate and feasible transportation projects along strategic corridors | California Department of Transportation | In progress | 4 |
| 8 | Use existing state programs to accelerate broadband deployment and to leverage utility infrastructure to increase access to existing fiber and cost-effectively deploy new fiber | California Public Utilities Commission | In progress | 23c |
| 9 | Inventory of state property for state broadband infrastructure | Department of General Services | In progress | 7 |
| 10 | Coordinate with jurisdictions implementing Next-Generation 9-1-1 to expand broadband infrastructure to enhance public safety and disaster preparedness. | California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services | In progress | 8 |
| 11 | Facilitate new broadband projects that support precision agriculture and food systems in rural communities; and inventory existing broadband connectivity at all fairgrounds. | California Department of Food and Agriculture | In progress | 23d |
| 12 | Provide recommendations to the CPUC to increase free or low-cost broadband connectivity at all publicly subsidized housing communities for residential units. | California Department of Housing and Community Development | In progress | 13 |
| 13 | Coordinate outreach efforts of existing statewide programs and institutions to inform residents of affordable Internet service offerings. | Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development | In progress | 23 |
| 14 | Lead statewide efforts to ensure that students have the computing devices and connectivity necessary for distance learning and online instruction. | California Department of Education | In progress | 23f |
| 15 | Analyze the needs of people ages 60 and older for access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband, and to identify program and partnership opportunities. | California Department of Aging | In progress | 15 |