The City of Coachella has announced the securing of a $234,000 state Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA) grant. This grant, which aligns with the Riverside County Broadband Master Plan, is expected to be used for planning and assessing the feasibility of implementing a city-owned broadband network that would reduce costs for the city and its residents.
The effort towards implementing a city-owned broadband network aims to address a significant need in the community. "There is a huge need for our community to have proper access to technology so they can actively utilize the digital tools now prevalent everywhere, for school and their daily lives. It's important that underserved communities have the ability to stay up to speed with society, so they can both participate and contribute and not find themselves in a vulnerable position when technology becomes the primary way of staying connected to the world," said Mayor Steven Hernandez.
The situation in Riverside County further underscores this need. According to the Riverside County Broadband Master Plan, more than 67,000 county households do not subscribe to Internet services, and 360,000 households may be struggling to pay for an Internet connection.
Broadband provision is currently handled by a limited number of providers on both state and national levels. According to ConnectCalifornia, there are 17 municipal broadband providers in the state and 332 nationwide. Of those in California, just six provide residential services.
A crucial component of this plan includes conducting an extensive analysis on various aspects related to operating a city-owned fiber optic network. According to a press release, the analysis will determine operational implications, risks and development and operating costs for a city-owned fiber optic network, with the focus on lower broadband access costs, improved network speed and reliability and filling in coverage gaps in Coachella.
The initiative is perceived as an opportunity to expand digital services and offer more affordable and reliable internet access to residents. "The City of Coachella staff recognizes that expanding digital services to our residents makes the need for fast, affordable and reliable internet essential in order for them to better access those online resources. We feel that an expansive Broadband Master Plan will help us toward our goal in providing the most affordable and equitable digital access to our residents and community," said Jason Stevens, IT Director.