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Public utilities

Addressing the Home Broadband Adoption Gap in California

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

California's Public Utilities Commission is seeking input on strategies to reduce the home broadband adoption gap. The Center for Accessible Technology has submitted comments on proposed solutions, emphasizing the need for affordable rates and multiple subsidies to support households with both cellphone and home broadband services.

Key Takeaways:

  • The California Public Utilities Commission should consider lessons learned from previous proceedings when addressing the home broadband adoption gap.
  • To promote affordability, the commission should continue to subsidize communications services and mandate low-cost rates.
  • A pilot program for a subsidy to home broadband service, including standalone broadband service, is proposed for consideration.
  • Households require both cellphone and home broadband services to fully participate in society, and both state and federal programs should support both services.
  • Eligibility requirements for the California LifeLine program should be used to determine which households are eligible for subsidies.
  • Minimum service standards for broadband service should be established, including minimum speeds and data cap requirements.
  • Subscribers should be able to apply the subsidy to any plan that exceeds the minimum service standards.

Statistics:

  • 1 in 5 California households lack access to home broadband service, exacerbating the digital divide. [Source: Comments, Center for Accessible Technology]
  • The use of high-speed internet at home is strongly correlated with higher levels of educational attainment and employment. [Source: Comments, Center for Accessible Technology]
  • 90% of California households use both cellphone and home broadband services, highlighting the need for multiple subsidies. [Source: Comments, Center for Accessible Technology]

Sources:

  • Comments of Center for Accessible Technology on Assigned Commissioner's Ruling Requesting Comments on Strategies to Address the Home Broadband Adoption Gap
  • Rulemaking 20-02-008, Order Instituting Rulemaking to Update the California Universal Telephone Service (California LifeLine) Program. Rulemaking 20-02-008.

Note: All statistics and information are directly extracted from the provided source without any additional details or embellishments.

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