In December 2023, the California Department of Technology (CDT)
published the long-anticipated
Draft State Digital Equity Plan, as required by
AB 2750 (Chapter 597, Statutes of 2022). With the intention
of bridging the digital divide and strategically investing the
state’s new investments in broadband infrastructure, AB 2750
directed CDT to work in consultation with the public, the
California Public Utilities Commission, and the California
Broadband Council to identify barriers to digital equity,
identify measurable objectives for promoting digital equity, and
develop a plan for how CDT plans to collaborate with specified
stakeholders.
The requirement for CDT to develop this plan acknowledges that
more effort and investment is needed for eight specified
populations throughout California to receive reliable access to
high-speed broadband and affordable internet services. As such,
the Department defines digital equity as “all Californians have
access to the technology and digital skills they need to
participate fully in modern society.” To this end, the nearly
200-page Draft State Digital Equity Plan defines objectives by
which that state will measure progress towards achieving equity
and identifies specific barriers that are correlated with and
unique to populations that experience the highest rate of
unreliable access to high-speed broadband and affordable
internet.
Counties are encouraged to review the state’s plan and provide
feedback regarding their assessment of the current broadband
landscape, the identified targets, and the planned strategies and
activities to achieve those targets.
The state needs to hear from counties!
The California Department of Technology is accepting public
comment for 45 days, until January 25, 2024. Comments can be
submitted using the
Digital Equity Plan public comment form. All comments on the
plan submitted to the Department will be
publicly posted on the Broadband for All website.
Informational webinar on Friday, December 15 at
11am
This Friday, the Department of Technology will host a one-hour
webinar to provide an overview of the draft Digital Equity Plan
and offer an opportunity for the public to ask questions about
the public comment process. The webinar will be held via Zoom,
and participants can
register here.
