San Mateo County is home to some of the most innovative and influential technology companies in the world; however, the county still has a substantial digital divide where approximately 7% of our residents have little to no access to high-speed internet.
As county supervisor, I strongly believe that all our residents need access to high-speed internet to thrive in today’s fast-paced economy.
The first step is to make sure that we are providing the right digital infrastructure so that our residents and small businesses can collaborate, thrive and prosper.
We live in the heart of Silicon Valley, and despite high and growing adoption and access to broadband in San Mateo County, a digital divide remains between those with high-speed Internet access and those with slow speed or no access. Today approximately 93% of households in the county have a broadband internet subscription. Providing high speed internet access is the 21st century equivalent to building roads.
The past few years revealed that our residents rely on the internet for distance education, telemedicine, staying connected with family and friends, and accessing jobs, goods and services. In addition, as more and more of our county services migrate online, it is critical our residents and businesses have access to the internet to connect to local services.
I have seen firsthand how a lack of connectivity can increase economic disparities. One of the most important roles that government can play is to work together to make sure our constituents are connected. This means supporting public policies that deliver modern, digital infrastructure so that all residents have equal access to online resources.
Fortunately, the state of California has allocated $2 billion to the Federal Funding Account, managed by the California Public Utilities Commission, for allocation of last mile broadband infrastructure to connect unserved Californians. The grant program was established in accordance with SB 156, signed by Gov. Newsom in 2021, to help bridge the digital divide and provide reliable and affordable internet access to all California.
Currently there are multiple grant proposals submitted to the CPUC that will invest millions of private and public dollars to expand broadband service in San Mateo County to underserved residents, from rural areas on the coast to the urban centers on the Bayside. Utilizing these state broadband funds is critical to closing the digital divide and helping our residents to access important health and safety information, conduct job searches and broaden their social networks.
Every San Mateo County resident can and should have access to the internet regardless of location or income. The internet is not only key to prosperity and economic business growth in the future, but it is also at the heart of our economy and society. Education, health care, work and civic life are all dependent on internet access.
San Mateo County leaders look forward to collaborating with community stakeholders, state lawmakers, on supporting broadband infrastructure investments and resources that can provide universal broadband access for our residents.
David Canepa is vice president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.
