1. Executive Summary

On this page

California Digital Equity Plan Framework
Vision, Goals, and Objectives
Current State of Broadband and Digital Equity
Specific Barriers for Covered Populations
Strategies and Implementation Activities
What’s Next
References

Digital equity means all Californians have access to the technology and digital skills they need to participate fully in modern society fully. The California State Digital Equity Plan describes how the State will pair its existing Broadband for All investments and efforts with new federal funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

This draft Digital Equity Plan follows the requirements for the NTIA’s Digital Equity Planning Grant and California Assembly Bill 2750 (Chapter 597, Statutes of 2022).

This Plan identifies barriers to digital equity for eight “covered populations” outlined in the Digital Equity Act and includes the State’s strategies for addressing those barriers to achieve specific objectives for each of the State’s three Broadband for All goals. The implementation of this Plan will be funded by a federal Digital Equity Capacity Grant.

The eight “covered populations” outlined in the Digital Equity Act

Individuals living in covered households with an income at or below 150% Federal Poverty Level
Aging individuals (50+)
Incarcerated individuals other than individuals who are incarcerated in a Federal correctional facility
Veterans
Individuals with disabilities
Individuals with language barriers including individuals who are English learners, and have low levels of literacy
Members of a racial or ethnic minority group
Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area

In total, 33.5 million Californians—85% of the State’s population—belong to one or more of these populations. [1] CDT recognizes that some activities must be more targeted to populations whose needs are greater than others.

In alignment with the State’s BEAD Five-Year Action Plan, this Plan also identifies barriers to digital equity for other digitally disadvantaged communities, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community and individuals who identify as women or females. While not required by NTIA, California also placed additional focus on tribal communities and individuals who are unhoused, in line with the State’s overall commitment to equity.

California Digital Equity Plan Framework

Vision

A California in which all residents have access to high-performance broadband,
affordable service and devices, and the training and support necessary to
enable digital inclusion for economic and other social benefits.

Goals

Goal 1: All Californians have high-performance broadband available at home, schools, libraries, and businesses.

Goal 2: All Californians have access to affordable broadband and necessary devices.

Goal 3: All Californians can access training and support to enable digital inclusion.

What we’re measuring (Our objectives)

We’ve defined specific objectives for each goal that will allow us to measure our progress as we implement this Plan.

Where we are (Current baseline)[2]

This is a summary of the current state of each objective and recognizes that some covered populations start from different places.

Where we’re going (Our targets)

These targets are where we want California to be after implementing Broadband for All.

How we’ll get there (Strategies and key activities)

These are the actions that we will take to achieve our goals. This Plan focuses on actions to complement infrastructure investments.

Assets

Organizations across the State offer digital inclusion programs. These statewide and locally based efforts offer a foundation for progress that this Plan will strengthen.

Priority Outcomes

This Plan will improve outcomes for California residents in the following areas:

Education
Health
Digital Literacy & Inclusion
Workforce & Economic Development
Essential Services, Accessibility, Civic Engagement
Tribal Collaboration

This Executive Summary provides an overview of each key component. A summary chart at the end of the Executive Summary provides details for each goal. The full draft Digital Equity Plan includes more detail in a format outlined by NTIA.

Vision, Goals, and Objectives

Vision

A California in which all residents have access to high-performance broadband, affordable service and devices, and the training and support necessary to enable digital inclusion for economic and other social benefits.

This vision embodies and expands on the State’s three long-term goals defined in the 2020 Broadband for All Action Plan by establishing specific objectives for each goal and how we will measure progress:

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1 – All Californians have high-performance broadband available at home, schools, libraries, and businesses.

Objective 1.1: Increase the percentage of Californians who are connected to broadband internet service.
Objective 1.2: Increase the percentage of Community Anchor Institutions that are connected to broadband internet service.
Objective 1.3: Increase the percentage of Californians who report that their internet service is reliable.
Objective 1.4: Increase the percentage of Californians who have a choice of at least three internet service providers.

Goal 2 – All Californians have access to affordable broadband and necessary devices.

Objective 2.1: Decrease the percentage of Californians who cite cost as the primary barrier to internet service.
Objective 2.2: Reduce the percentage of Californians who rely solely on a smartphone to use the internet due to devices being inaccessible and unaffordable and increase the percentage with a home computing device.
Objective 2.3: Increase the percentage of Californians enrolled in low-cost internet options and subsidies, including the Affordable Connectivity Program or successor program.
Objective 2.4: Reduce the average cost that covered populations pay for internet service.

Goal 3 – All Californians can access training and support to enable digital inclusion.

Objective 3.1: Increase the availability of digital literacy, cybersecurity, and skills training programs.
Objective 3.2: Increase the percentage of Californians who have access to technical support services for internet-connected devices.
Objective 3.3: Reduce the percentage of Californians whose concerns for privacy and cybersecurity prevent broadband adoption or effective use.
Objective 3.4: Increase the percentage of Californians who possess basic, intermediate, and advanced digital literacy skills.
Objective 3.5: Expand the number of broadband infrastructure and technology jobs among covered populations.
Objective 3.6: Increase the percentage of Californians who utilize the internet to apply for or use public benefits and other essential services and can participate in civic and social engagement online.

California’s Goals and Objectives outlined above, are derived from the deep public engagement and planning process described in Section 4 and aligned with the State’s Broadband for All Action Plan. They also correspond to the following categories of digital equity support activities articulated by the National Telecommunications Information Agency (NTIA) as Measurable Objectives (MO):

a. The availability and affordability of access to fixed and wireless broadband technology.

b. The online accessibility and inclusivity of public resources and services;.

c. Digital literacy;

d. Awareness of, and the use of, measures to secure online privacy of, and cybersecurity with respect to an individual; and

e. The availability and affordability of consumer devices and technical support for those devices.

A table that outlines California’s Broadband for All Goals and Objectives, the NTIA Measurable Objectives, the current baseline for each covered population, and the target can be found in Appendix A.

Achieving these goals and objectives will create a digitally equitable California and
achieve outcomes in the state’s priority policy areas. This Plan is designed to
complement existing statewide policy initiatives to realize these outcomes.

Priority Outcome Areas

Priority Outcome Areas
Education Students and educators can use technology at home and in the classroom to enable more equitable educational outcomes.	Health Residents can access healthcare information and virtual healthcare services online, improving public health and the healthcare experience.
Digital Literacy and Inclusion Residents have access to digital literacy and skills training, and technical support in multiple languages delivered by community-based instructors.	Workforce and Economic Development Members of covered populations and digitally disadvantaged communities benefit from broadband investments and training to get better jobs, improve their earnings, and contribute to local economies across the State.
Essential Services, Accessibility, and Civic Engagement Residents, regardless of language, literacy level, or ability, can access online public resources and benefit programs, and fully participate in civic engagement activities.	Tribal Collaboration The State develops meaningful partnerships with tribes in California to increase connectivity in tribal communities while respecting sovereignty, ownership, and long-term economic sustainability.

Current State of Broadband and Digital Equity

California has made significant progress in closing the digital divide because of its existing Broadband for All investments and efforts, which include the CPUC’s California Advanced Service Fund programs, Middle and Last Mile programs, and the statewide mobilization to raise awareness and enroll California residents in low-cost service offers and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which has led to 2.9 million eligible households enrolling in the program over the last two years.

More Californians can access the internet and digital resources than ever before. A statewide telephone survey conducted with the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) and researchers from the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism as part of this digital equity planning effort revealed that over the last two years broadband adoption has increased among older adults, residents without a high school degree, households with people who have disabilities, and households with annual income less than $20,000.[3] Home connectivity rates also followed a pattern of convergence among counties, in which gains in connectivity in rural counties grew to match counties statewide more closely.[4]

Nonetheless, significant barriers to digital equity remain in communities throughout the State, particularly for Californians who identify as members of covered populations and digitally disadvantaged communities.

Section 3 of this Plan details the current state of digital equity in California. CDT, CPUC, and other state agencies and departments advanced an inclusive cross-cutting planning process that allowed CDT to gather both qualitative and quantitative data and included the following:

Statewide Digital Equity Planning Group
Outcome Area Working Groups
Statewide Digital Equity Surveys
- Telephone Survey
- Public Online survey
Digital Equity Ecosystem Mapping
Regional Planning Workshops
Ongoing Stakeholder Engagement

This engagement and analysis highlighted specific barriers to broadband access, affordability, and adoption. Building on the three overarching goals of Broadband for All, this Digital Equity Plan defines specific objectives that will serve as the primary basis for measuring progress toward the State’s vision. The strategies outlined in this Plan are informed not only by the over 50,000 Californians who shared their experiences and ideas at public meetings, but also by the following baseline measures of these indicators, including how they differ for each covered population and digitally disadvantaged community.

Overall Needs and Barriers

Barriers to digital equity highlighted through CDT’s multi-pronged engagement process can be considered in three categories: access, affordability, and adoption.

Access

When it comes to the availability of internet infrastructure, there are over 450,000 unserved and underserved locations in California.[5] Serving these locations is the first step in achieving the Broadband for All vision, and one that California is focused on through the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI) and CPUC’s last mile programs, including those to be funded through BEAD. Additional specific barriers related to broadband infrastructure access include:

Lack of available infrastructure/service;
Lack of reliable/resilient service (speed and other variables);
Evolving, but incomplete, state broadband data/maps; and
Uncertain localized labor supply for broadband infrastructure jobs.

Affordability

For those who do have service available, affordability remains the top barrier to digital equity for all populations throughout the State. Sixty-one percent of telephone survey respondents identified cost as the primary barrier to obtaining home internet service.[6] Specific barriers highlighted by communities and surveys through this digital equity planning process include:

Lack of awareness of low-cost offers and subsidies like the Affordable Connectivity Program;
Challenging ACP enrollment processes, including eligibility requirements that do not include high-cost communities within CA;
The need for a sustainable broadband subscription subsidy;
Lack of consumer choice and competition among Internet Service Providers (ISPs); and
Mistrust of government and corporations.

Adoption

Even if service is available, Californians cite additional barriers to broadband adoption. U.S. Census Bureau data indicates that about 8% of households in California lack a computer or broadband subscription.[7] The statewide telephone survey and online public survey obtained granular data on Californians’ comfort level with device usage, digital literacy skills, and online privacy and cybersecurity. The telephone survey found that one-third of households that do not subscribe to the internet do so because nobody in the household has a desktop, laptop, or tablet, supporting the theory that device access affects broadband connectivity.[8] There is strong interest by online survey respondents (33%) to take an internet or computer training course.[9] Specific barriers to adoption include:

Lack of awareness of low cost offers and subsidies;
Lack of perceived need (including reliance solely on mobile phones);
The cost of devices like computers and tablets;
Lack of digital literacy skills and training, including online safety; and
Lack of technical familiarity or awareness due to the rapid pace of change in technology (including hardware and software).

Data

Data granularity and accuracy was cited as a barrier during the development of the Broadband for All Action Plan and remains a barrier today.[10] While significant efforts have been made at the state and federal levels to improve broadband availability, affordability, and adoption data, there are small but significant differences in what the data tells us and what we hear from communities and residents based on their lived experiences.[11]

Specific Barriers for Covered Populations

In addition to these overall barriers, different covered populations experience distinct barriers to digital equity. These barriers include the following examples, which were highlighted through CDT’s public participation throughout this digital equity planning process.

Covered Populations	Examples of Specific Barriers
Individuals who Live in Covered Households (under 150% FPL)	Lack of awareness of low cost offers and ACP Availability in multi-dwelling units (MDUs) and subsidized housing Individual units within MDUs and subsidized housing are not accurately counted on State and Federal Broadband Maps Industry business practices constrain service availability/ options where multiple families reside in the same unit
Aging Individuals (60+)	Lack of distinction between broadband connection and cellular connection Inadequate devices/technology Lack of digital skills training
Incarcerated Individuals	Lack of training during incarceration Housing & economic insecurity upon re-entry Evolution of technology
Veterans	Mistrust of government and corporations Mistrust of government and corporations Lack of digital skills and training
Individuals with Disabilities	Inadequate accessible hardware and software Training on hardware and software Accessibility of online services
Individuals with Language Barriers	Individuals who Primarily Reside in a Rural Area Mistrust of government and corporations Information in primary language Literacy in primary language Literacy in primary language
Individuals who are Members of a Racial or Ethnic Minority Group	Structural racism, discrimination, and discriminatory practices Mistrust of government and corporations Information in primary language Literacy in primary language Digital skills training in language
LGBTQIA+	Unique concerns around safety Underrepresentation in broadband industry jobs
Women, and those who identify as female	Digital literacy and workforce development focus Balancing work and childcare Displacement and trauma due to domestic violence Underrepresentation in broadband industry jobs

Covered Populations	Examples of Specific Barriers
Individuals who Live in Covered Households (under 150% FPL)	Lack of awareness of low cost offers and ACPAvailability in multi-dwelling units (MDUs) and subsidized housingIndividual units within MDUs and subsidized housing are not accurately counted on State and Federal Broadband MapsIndustry business practices constrain service availability/ options where multiple families reside in the same unit
Aging Individuals (60+)	Lack of distinction between broadband connection and cellular connectionInadequate devices/technologyLack of digital skills training
Incarcerated Individuals	Lack of training during incarcerationHousing & economic insecurity upon re-entryEvolution of technology
Veterans	Mistrust of government and corporations Economic and housing insecurityLack of digital skills and training
Individuals with Disabilities	Inadequate accessible hardware and softwareTraining on hardware and softwareAccessibility of online services
Individuals with Language Barriers	Individuals who Primarily Reside in a Rural Area Mistrust of government and corporations Information in primary language Literacy in primary languageDigital skills training in language
Individuals who are Members of a Racial or Ethnic Minority Group	Mistrust of government and corporations Information in primary language Literacy in primary language Digital skills training in language
LGBTQIA+	Unique concerns around safety Underrepresentation in broadband industry jobs
Women, and those who identify as female	Digital literacy and workforce development focus Balancing work and childcare Displacement and trauma due to domestic violence Underrepresentation in broadband industry jobs

Baseline Measures

Through existing data and new datasets developed for this Digital Equity Plan, the State has identified the following baseline conditions against which we will measure progress. For many objectives, we also identified differences among covered populations.

Goal 1: All Californians have high-performance broadband available at home, schools, libraries, and businesses.

Objective 1.1 – Increase the percentage of Californians who are connected to broadband internet service.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data estimates 306,910 unserved locations (locations without 25/3Mbps service) and an additional 151,107 underserved locations (lacking 100/20Mbps service)[12] —the basis for California’s BEAD funding allocation. According to a representative sample of Californians surveyed for this Plan 91% are connected to broadband, indicating that an estimated 3.5 million Californians remain unconnected to internet service due to limited infrastructure, affordability issues, and other barriers.[13] The covered populations that are among the least connected include low-income households (81%), individuals with language barriers (81%), individuals who primarily reside in a rural area (86%), and Hispanic or Latin(o) households (88%).[14]

Objective 1.2 – Increase the percentage of Community Anchor Institutions that are connected to broadband internet service.

As part of its planning process for the BEAD program, CPUC is evaluating current levels of connectivity among community anchor institutions in the state.

Objective 1.3 – Increase the percentage of Californians who report that their internet service is reliable.

Although 91% of Californians are connected to broadband service, only 62% report that their service is reliable for their household needs.[15]

Objective 1.4 – Increase the percentage of Californians who have a choice of at least three internet service providers.

Consumer choice is an important part of a thriving marketplace for internet service and has been correlated to broadband affordability,[16] but CPUC’s 2018 Competition Report found that 35% of California households have access to only one provider offering service greater than 25/3 Mbps, and only 6.8% have access to three providers offering service greater than 25/3 Mbps.[17]

Goal 2: All Californians have access to affordable broadband and necessary devices.

Objective 2.1 – Decrease the percentage of Californians who cite cost as the primary barrier to internet service.

Sixty-one percent of households who do not adopt internet service say that the cost of internet service is the main reason they do not subscribe.[18] This percentage is meaningfully higher for covered populations and other digitally disadvantaged communities.[19]

Objective 2.2 – Reduce the percentage of Californians who rely solely on a smartphone to use the internet due to devices being inaccessible and unaffordable and increase the percentage with a home computing device.

While the percentage of Californians who rely solely on a smartphone to use the internet has been cut in half over the last two years, more than 1.1 million (3%) Californians still cannot make full use of the internet because they do not have a computer or tablet.[20] This percentage is significantly higher for covered populations, including the 23% of low-income households who currently rely solely on a smartphone for internet use.[21]

Objective 2.3 – Increase the percentage of Californians enrolled in low-cost internet options and subsidies, including the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Approximately 2.93 million of 5.84 million eligible households (50%) are enrolled in ACP,[22] but 77% of unconnected households remain unaware of the program,[23] and only 22% of survey respondents are aware of low-cost options from internet service providers (ISPs).[24]

Objective 2.4 – Reduce the average cost that covered populations pay for internet service.

Californians spend an average of $83.60 per month on broadband, with notable variations among covered populations.[25] Covered populations that report paying more than the average cost include aging individuals, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Goal 3: All Californians can access training and support to enable digital inclusion.

Objective 3.1 – Increase the availability of digital literacy, cybersecurity, and skills training programs.

While it is difficult to quantify a baseline for this objective, locally based service providers have shared details of more than 270 programs currently offering digital skills training in the state through this digital equity planning process.[26] These programs are complemented by numerous other programs supported by CPUC, CETF, and other entities. Implementation of this Plan will help identify gaps in the availability of these programs more clearly.

Objective 3.2 – Increase the percentage of Californians who have access to technical support services for internet-connected devices.

Technical support for computers and other devices is an essential component of digital equity, but 22% of survey respondents say they do not have access to these services in their household or community. Covered populations that have the least access to services include low-income households, aging individuals, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with a language barrier.[27]

Objective 3.3 – Reduce the percentage of Californians whose concern for privacy and cybersecurity prevent broadband adoption or effective use.

Even as privacy and cybersecurity are increasing concerns for digital equity, 42% of telephone respondents cite concern over privacy as a barrier to home internet.[28]

Objective 3.4 – Increase the percentage of Californians who possess basic, intermediate, and advanced digital literacy skills.

Nearly one in three Californians who lack broadband at home cite limited digital skills as one of the reasons for not subscribing.[29] Thirty-three percent of online survey respondents are interested in internet or computer training classes—a figure that rises to 77% for some covered populations.[30]

Objective 3.5 – Expand the number of broadband infrastructure and technology jobs among covered populations.

According to the Fiber Broadband Association, “fiber workers are predominantly white (59.6%) and male (89.8%) and skew older than the median age worker in the US at 44 years old.”[31]

Objective 3.6 – Increase the percentage of Californians who utilize the internet to apply for or use public benefits and other essential services and can participate in civic and social engagement online.

An estimated 46% of Californians—and only 21% of those without an internet subscription or who only use a smartphone—use the internet for telehealth.[32] Fifty-five percent of online survey respondents rarely or never use the internet to apply for or use public benefits like CalFresh, SNAP, Medi-Cal, or Social Security.[33]

Digital Equity Assets and Gaps

Most digital inclusion work happens at the regional and local levels through community-based organizations that know their communities best, deliver programs and services in relevant languages with cultural sensitivity, and are trusted messengers in their communities.

Local governments and community anchor institutions[34]— including those in education, healthcare, workforce and economic development, libraries, and housing —Tribes, nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, internet service providers, and organizations that represent and serve each of the covered populations and other digitally disadvantaged communities all do essential work to help realize statewide goals. Leaders in each of these types of organization contributed meaningfully to the development of this Plan, and partnership, collaboration, and alignment with these organizations will be central to Plan implementation.

This Plan contains a preliminary inventory of more than 700 digital equity plans, organization and individual contacts, and programs, including state managed efforts, locally developed digital equity plans, organizations who are working to promote digital inclusion statewide and at the local level, and programs that offer funding and services ranging from digital literacy training to device distribution and tech support.

California has perhaps the strongest and most mature digital equity ecosystem in the nation—one that has been growing stronger since the creation of the CBC in 2010. Nonetheless, these organizations highlighted several barriers to their ability to make an impact throughout this digital equity planning process, including:

Top barriers for organizations

Funding and Sustainability: The most cited barrier is the lack of sustainable funding.
Staff and Organizational Capacity: Adequately trained staff and other organizational capacity limitations impede these organizations.
Difficulty Accessing and Applying for Funding: When funding opportunities do arrive, the complexity of applying for and reporting on the funds can overwhelm organizations.
Lack of Awareness and Engagement: Promoting programs that support communities in need of digital inclusion services remains a challenge for organizations seeking to deliver these services.
Coordination and Collaboration: Stronger coordination and collaboration among organizations offering digital equity resources could reduce the unnecessary duplication of efforts and promote the sharing of resources and best practices.

Additional gaps in organizational resources exist between geographic regions within the state. Continuing to collect data on organization-based digital inclusion programs and capacities through the implementation phase of this Plan will help the State tailor its programmatic investments to the places and programs in which they have the greatest opportunity to achieve our goals.

Strategies and Implementation Activities

During the State’s 20 regional planning workshops and group tribal consultations, more than 2,200 Californians, including leading digital inclusion practitioners, advocates, and members of all covered populations helped to identify and prioritize strategies that the State should pursue to address barriers to digital equity.[35] These priority strategies are summarized into the following themes:

Construct high-speed broadband infrastructure throughout the state to achieve ubiquitous deployment foundational for universal adoption; expedite construction and development of middle-mile network and last-mile projects.
Implement comprehensive digital inclusion programs that overcome the three overarching barriers for low-income households to achieve universal adoption: sign up for affordable home internet service; acquire an affordable computing device; and access digital literacy training to become digitally proficient.
Ensure that communities disproportionately impacted by barriers to digital equity are central to the design, development, and delivery of digital equity programs, and that socioeconomic benefits are captured primarily within these communities. Consult and empower covered populations and other digitally disadvantaged communities to help plan and implement all strategies to achieve digital equity. Those intended to be served must be involved in planning and delivering the services.
Deliver services to people where they live and gather. Meet people where they are; take services to the people instead of requiring people to come to the services. Ensure that digital inclusion programs and resources are tailored to the specific cultural dynamics of covered populations and are made available in the languages that Californians speak.
Engage and support “trusted messengers” in existing community-based organizations and institutions who already serve the covered populations to deliver digital inclusion programs and services.
Develop all informational materials and awareness media in-language and in-culture.
Advance universal design to ensure accessibility and assistive technology for everyone.
Leverage existing resources by engaging major institutions—including counties, cities, schools, higher education, tribal governments—and human services systems, such as education, healthcare, libraries, economic and workforce development, and essential services, to integrate digital inclusion strategies into current programs and services.
Align and integrate human services to focus on outcomes and convenience for individuals and households. Train existing social workers, health workers (promotores), educators, librarians, and other human and community service workers to serve as Digital Navigators.
Incorporate peer-to-peer and inter-generational strategies into digital inclusion programs.

In alignment with these cross-cutting strategies, this digital equity plan will help realize the Broadband for All vision, goals, and objectives by advancing the following seven key activities focused on outcomes, accountability, and broadband adoption at the individual and residential level:

Key Activity 1: Complete Broadband for All infrastructure investments within federal and state deadlines.

CDT, CPUC, and other State agencies tasked with building out broadband infrastructure will continue and expedite the build-out of existing Broadband for All investments and BEAD-funded projects. Increasing the miles constructed, the number of ISPs providing service, and the number of connected homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions, will increase the level and quality of internet service available to residents in California, including covered populations, and the unserved and underserved residents of the state.

Key Activity 2: Convene digital equity stakeholders to strengthen collaboration.

CDT will convene partners and stakeholders and provide regular updates on implementation through the California Broadband Council, Middle-Mile Advisory Committee, and continue engagement and outreach forums developed during the digital equity planning process by extending the quarterly convenings of the Statewide Planning Group and the Outcome Area Working Groups. Program planning and delivery will involve members of the communities served.

Key Activity 3: Refine digital equity data and maps.

Federal and state government entities are committed to refining digital equity data and mapping efforts. The CPUC has compiled extensive data within its Annual Affordability Report, which aggregates pricing and service offering data from communication service providers to monitor pricing trends in different areas of the state. Continued collection of granular broadband deployment and subscriber data will allow for better understanding and assessment of unserved and underserved locations and broadband adoption rates in California to effectively target resources as needed. The data will also inform public policies looking to bridge the digital divide in California.

CDT will work to develop systems to track the impact of Broadband for All investments to inform future policy and funding decisions and validate that the State is receiving its fair share of federal resources. CDT will regularly conduct digital equity surveys to understand how grant funding has improved broadband access, adoption, and reduced barriers.

Key Activity 4: Develop a California Connect Corps and digital equity capacity grant program to expand statewide and community-based digital navigation and digital inclusion programs.

The state will develop a California Connect Corps (CCC) digital equity capacity grant program to support statewide and nonprofit organizations to conduct outreach to underserved populations to advance digital inclusion.[36] This program will include a part of a broader set of digital equity grants that the state plans to make available to local and tribal governments, community anchor institutions, community-based organizations, and other digital inclusion service providers to deliver comprehensive or issue-specific digital inclusion programs.

This program, contingent on federal funding, and if authorized, will fund the delivery of digital inclusion services from trusted messengers in existing statewide and community-based organizations and institutions who can provide support in the communities and languages in which it is needed most.

Key Activity 5: Fund new and expand existing State-managed digital inclusion programs.

The State intends to fund state-managed digital inclusion programs like those being managed by the State Library, Department of Aging and others offered by State agencies and other statewide partners as identified in Section 3 of this Plan.

Key Activity 6: Develop and promote digital inclusion tools and best practices.

Although digital inclusion programs that reach the hardest to connect are best delivered in a hyper-local manner, in and by the communities most disconnected, these service providers often cite a lack of capacity to deliver these programs at the scale needed. Part of the solution to capacity-building can be to provide standard tools and resources that these providers can use and customize for their communities, saving time and cost while building on best-demonstrated practices from other providers across the state.

CDT will work with the State Library, Department of Aging, Department of Education and others to lead the development of new and existing tools and resources to make it easier for locally based digital inclusion providers to realize their goals. As part of this work, the State will:

Develop, fund, and make available a statewide digital literacy training platform;
Develop a statewide multilingual digital literacy training framework and learning assessment; and
Build the statewide asset inventory as a common resource for local governments, social services, workforce development, and healthcare organizations, and for all Californians to see the digital inclusion programs available in their community.

Key Activity 7: Promote low-cost service offers and subsidy programs, such as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and advocate for a sustainable successor program.

This Plan calls for multiple measures to overcome the fact that cost is the primary barrier to internet adoption, including publicly funded network development and the promotion of consumer choice and competition among ISPs. However, the State also recognizes that many low-income households will continue to rely on subsidized service, so they are not forced to choose between internet service and mobile service, or other life necessities.

As part of this work, the State will:

Bundle outreach for low-cost plans, ACP other subsidies and successor programs with services like the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Medicaid, WIC, or Pell Grants;
Provide enrollment assistance with low-cost plans, ACP, and other subsidies and successor programs to covered populations;
Advocate for improvement of enrollment processes for low-cost offers, ACP, and other subsidies and successor programs, including low-cost offers and middle-class plans offered by BEAD subgrantees.
Continue to track eligibility and adoption rates of low-cost offers and subsidy programs statewide to understand and demonstrate California’s level of need;
Advocate for an extension of ACP or a successor program or develop a State-led affordable offer; and
Encourage the establishment of a data-matching agreement between the state and federal government for subsidy eligibility.

What’s Next

While the State has resources to advance the objectives and key activities identified in this Plan, it will seek additional funding through a Digital Equity Capacity Grant from the NTIA, expected to be available in Spring of 2024.

Capacity Grant funding will be insufficient to accomplish the objectives and meet the targets outlined in this Plan. CDT will support its digital inclusion stakeholders in the state to apply for the Digital Equity Competitive Grant program from the NTIA, also expected in 2024. This Plan acknowledges that sustainable programs cannot rely solely on state or federal funding.

Funding from local governments, philanthropy, the private sector, and public-private partnerships are key to realizing our statewide objectives. CDT will continue to promote locally funded digital equity programs that support Plan goals and to pursue additional sources of funds to expand or complement key implementation activities.

All Californians can play a role in executing this Digital Equity Plan. As CDT oversees its implementation, it will continue to advance an inclusive, collaborative process with its partners in State government, local and tribal governments, and other digital inclusion organizations and stakeholders throughout the state.

The tables below identify the objectives, baseline, target, and relevant key activities for each of the three goals stated earlier. The targets in this plan are intentionally ambitious and dependent on the completion of the Broadband for All and BEAD infrastructure projects, efficient use of Capacity Grant funds, and competitive grants, philanthropy and private investments. These targets will be reviewed and revised as needed to respond to developments in future years which may impact the ability to meet or exceed them. More details on the objectives, baseline and targets can be found in Section 2.5 and details on the seven relevant key activities for each objective can be found in Section 5.1.

Goal 1: All Californians have high-performance broadband available at home, schools, libraries, and businesses.

Objective	Current Baseline	Target	Key Activity
1.1 – Increase percentage of Californians who are connected to broadband Internet service.	Ninety-one percent are connected to broadband; covered populations less well-connected include covered households (81%); individuals with language barriers (81%); individuals who primarily reside in rural areas (86%). (Telephone Survey)	To the extent possible, all Californians who identify as a member of a covered population, have access to broadband service by 2030.	Complete Infrastructure Convene Evolve Data N/A Expand State Efforts Promote Tools Secure Subsidies
1.2 – Increase the percentage of Community Anchor Institutions that are connected to broadband internet service.	CPUC is currently evaluating as part of its BEAD planning process.	All Community Anchor Institutions, including schools, government entities (i.e., correctional facilities), healthcare institutions, libraries, public safety points and tribal lands, have access to gigabit service by 2030.
1.3 – Increase the percentage of Californians who report that their internet service is reliable.	Only 62% of Californians report that their service is reliable, while covered populations that report less reliability include covered households (58%); individuals with language barriers (54%); members of a racial or ethnic minority group (59%); individuals who primarily reside in rural areas (54%). (Telephone Survey)	To the extent possible, all Californians, including those who identify as a member of a covered population, have access to reliable internet service that is adequate for their household and business needs by 2030.
1.4 – Increase the percentage of Californians who have a choice of at least three internet service providers	An estimated 35% of households have access to only one broadband provider. (CPUC)	To the extent possible, more than 6.8% of Californians have access to at least three internet service providers by 2030.

Goal 2: All Californians have access to affordable broadband and necessary devices.

Objective	Current Baseline	Target	Key Activity
2.1 – Decrease the percentage of Californians who cite cost as the primary barrier to internet service.	Cost is the main reason that 61% of households do not subscribe. Covered populations citing cost as a barrier include individuals who live in covered households; individuals with disabilities; individuals with language barriers; members of a racial or ethnic minority group; individuals who primarily reside in rural areas. (Telephone Survey)	Reduce the percentage of California households, including those who identify as a member of a covered population, who cite cost as the reason for not adopting internet service by 2030.	Complete infrastructure Convene Refine data CA Connect Corps Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program Expand state efforts Promote tools Secure subsidies
2.2 – Reduce the percentage of Californians who rely solely on a smartphone to use the internet.	An estimated 3% of Californians do not have a computer or tablet. (Telephone Survey)	Reduce the percentage of those who identify as a member of a covered population, who rely solely on a smartphone and increase the percentage that have a home computing device by 25% 2028 and 50% by 2030.
2.3 – Increase the percentage of Californians enrolled in low-cost internet options and subsidies.	2.93 million of 5.84 million eligible households (47%) are enrolled in ACP (BB4A portal); 77% of unconnected households remain unaware of the program (Telephone survey); 1 in 5 may be unaware of low-cost options (Online survey).	To the extent possible, all ACP-eligible households, including those who identify as a member of a covered population, are enrolled in a low-cost plan by 2030.
2.4 – Reduce the average cost that covered populations pay for internet service.	Californians spend an average $83.60 per month on broadband, with notable variations among covered populations; covered populations paying more than the average include: veterans; individuals with disabilities; aging individuals; (Telephone Survey)	To the extent possible, reduce average costs for all covered populations so that fewer households cite cost as the reason for not adopting internet service by 2030.

Goal 3: All Californians can access training and support to enable digital inclusion.

Objective	Current Baseline	Target	Key Activity
3.1 – Increase the availability of digital literacy, cybersecurity, and skills training programs.	More than 270 programs currently offering digital skills training support.(DEEM responses)	Expand the number of Californians, especially those who identify as part of a covered population or a digitally disadvantaged community, who received digital literacy, cybersecurity, or digital skills training — 34% by 2027, and 50% by 2030.	N/A Convene Refine data CA Connect Corps Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program Expand state efforts Promote tools Secure subsidies
3.2 – Increase the percentage of Californians who have access to technical support services for internet-connected devices.	Twenty-two percent of respondents do not have access to technical support for computers and other devices in their household or community. (Online Survey)	Increase digital navigation services, which includes technical support for internet-connected devices, provided to those who identify as a member of a covered population — 34% by 2027, and 50% by 2030.
3.3 – Reduce the percentage of Californians whose concerns for privacy and cybersecurity prevents broadband adoption or effective use.	Forty-two percent of Californians cite concerns over privacy as a barrier to home internet adoption. (Telephone Survey)	Increase awareness of cybersecurity measures among members of covered populations and reduce the percentage of those whose concern about privacy and cybersecurity negatively impacts their use of the internet — 34% by 2027, and 50% by 2030.
3.4 – Increase the percentage of Californians who possess basic, intermediate and advanced digital literacy skills.	Nearly one in three Californians who reported lacking broadband at home cite limited digital skills as a reason for not subscribing. (Telephone Survey) When it comes to intermediate digital skills, such as installing new applications or making appointments online, 15-20% of online survey respondents are uncomfortable. (Online Survey) Only 56% of Californians may be considered to have more advanced digital skills. (Telephone Survey)	Reduce the share of Californians, including those who identify as part of a covered population or digitally disadvantaged community, who lack basic digital literacy skills — 34% by 2027, and 50% by 2030.
3.5 – Expand the number of broadband infrastructure and technology jobs among covered populations.	Fiber workers are predominantly white (59.6%) and male (89.8%) and skew older than the median age worker in the US at 44 years old. (Telephone Survey)	Increase the number of individuals in all covered populations who are trained and hired for broadband infrastructure and technology jobs by increasing the number of training programs and apprenticeships developed in partnerships with Workforce Investment Boards, California Community Colleges, labor unions, community-based organizations, and private companies.
3.6 – Increase the percentage of Californians who utilize the internet to apply for or use public benefits and other essential services and can participate in civic and social engagement online.	An estimated 46% of Californians—21% of those without an internet subscription or who only use a smartphone—use the internet for telehealth. (Telephone Survey) 55% of online survey respondents rarely or never use the internet to apply for or use public benefits like CalFresh, SNAP, Medi-Cal, or Social Security. (Online Survey)	Increase the share of Californians, especially those who identify as part of a covered population or digitally disadvantaged community, who are able to access the internet to apply for or use public benefits and other essential services and can participate in civic and social engagement online — 34% by 2027, and 50% by 2030.

References

Pease be advised that the footnotes in the HTML version of the California Digital Equity Plan may differ from those found in the PDF version. This discrepancy is due to format-specific adjustments necessary for the HTML version.

[1] https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/community-resilience-estimates/partnerships/ntia/digital-equity.html.
[2] Baseline data is derived from the statewide telephone survey, online public survey, 2021 American Community Survey data tables, NTIA Digital Equity Population Viewer, Outcome Area Working Groups, Regional Planning Workshops, Tribal Consultations, and 1:1 meetings, interviews, and listening sessions.
[3] Bar, F., Galperin, H., Le, T., 2023 Statewide Digital Equity Survey, page 15.
[4] Ibid.
[5] https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/-/media/cpuc-website/divisions/communications-division/documents/broadband-implementation-for-california/bead/california-bead-five-year-action-plan—final-draft—20230828.pdf, accessed September 16, 2023, page 111.
[6] Bar, F., Galperin, H., Le, T., 2023 Statewide Digital Equity Survey, page 27.

[36] https://trackbill.com/s3/bills/CA/2021/AB/2750/analyses/senate-energy-utilities-and-communications.pdf