The end of the program means that “the most vulnerable people in our economy, in our community, are going to be left behind at an accelerating pace,” said Sunne Wright McPeak, CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund, a nonprofit established by the California Public […]
Category: Media Coverage
Millions of Californians are seeing higher internet bills this month as a federal pandemic-era discount program for low-income people continues to wind down. The Affordable Connectivity Program gave eligible households a $30 broadband discount, and up to $75 for those on qualifying Tribal lands. One […]
The digital divide just grew a little wider in California, as Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Friday that he would be slashing $2 billion for broadband from the state budget. “These are programs, propositions that I’ve long advanced — many of them,” Newsom said as […]
Mitigating the barriers to digital inclusion is complex and community-specific and cannot be resolved by a single approach. California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State), and members of the Consortium are taking a more collaborative approach. Sacramento State, a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), the fifth most […]
The Affordable Connectivity Program is almost broke, and most recipients will receive only partial payments this month. We’re approaching the end of one of the largest investments in US history when it comes to closing the digital divide. Starting this month, recipients of benefits from the Affordable […]
Alfredo Camacho and his three daughters started a new routine last week: Every evening they go to the parking lot outside a nearby library to get Wi-Fi access. The kids do homework and download YouTube videos, while Alfredo checks his email and searches job listings. […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Leticia Alejandrez, Director of Communications California Emerging Technology Fund (916) 825-6104 Leticia.Alejandrez@cetFund.org Internet Access Enables Full Economic Participation Los Angeles and Sacramento, California – February 13, 2024. California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) applauds the visionary report by Rise Economy (formerly […]
While 91% of California households have internet service, an estimated 3.5 million people remain disconnected, according to new findings released Thursday. Cost is the main barrier to internet service, according to researchers who gave a briefing on Thursday. Residents spend an average of $83.60 per […]
About a fifth of people living on tribal lands don’t have broadband access. Some states are trying to help tribal efforts. In 2023, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico and Oregon enacted laws to support broadband expansion by streamlining funding to local governments, including tribes and underserved communities. […]
The Affordable Internet and Net Equality Act of 2024 (AB1588) was introduced by Assemblywoman Lori Wilson last year and sponsored by the California Emerging Technology Fund to ensure that all low-income households have the opportunity to subscribe to home Internet service at an affordable cost. […]