San Diego is stepping up its game in the digital arena by laying the groundwork for a Broadband Master Plan. The city's initiative seeks to expand internet access and affordability, especially in communities with the most pronounced digital divide. For example, in areas such as San Ysidro, data indicates that an alarming 40% of households are without a wireline broadband subscription.
This pressing issue has led the City’s IT Department to act. "It's important that all San Diegans and San Diego communities have reliable and affordable access to the internet," Jonathan Behnke, the Chief Information Officer, emphasized in a statement obtained by the City of San Diego. The planned focus groups and surveys like the internet speed test and internet access survey are the City's tools for canvasing the current landscape and better understanding residents’ needs.
The city's plan will also align with California standards for broadband speeds, aiming to increase broadband availability and reduce users' costs. The agenda goes beyond immediate access, including leveraging state and federal investments in broadband infrastructure and identifying the role of public resources in increasing access and affordability. Strategic coordination is a priority to maximize the benefits for San Diegans.
Forging public-private partnerships could be an instrumental part of the solution. Already, the city is pulling together resources and knowledge with six community-based organizations, including Casa Familiar and the City Heights Community Development Corporation. These collaborations serve as channels to grasp the challenges residents and small businesses face concerning internet accessibility, particularly those hit hardest by the digital equity gap.
Mustafa Sahid of Somali Family Service of San Diego highlighted the broad impact of digital inclusion, saying, "Access to reliable broadband is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for education, employment, healthcare, and daily life." In a quote provided to the City of San Diego, he added that Somali Family Service is eager "to support efforts that ensure equitable access to technology, empowering our communities to thrive in an increasingly digital world."
The City of San Diego is not doing it alone financially, either. A $500,000 State of California Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant is funding the Broadband Master Plan. CTC Technology and Energy are at the helm of the planning process, ensuring that the project stays true to the city’s commitments to equity, sustainability, and its strategic plan.
