Image by LightFieldStudiosOPINION – For Black and Brown Californians, the digital divide is a reflection of systemic inequities that persist across education, health care, and economic opportunity. Too many of our students struggle with remote learning, elders are cut off from telehealth, and working families can’t afford reliable internet. As we push for racial justice, we must also fight for digital equity.
Image by FlegereOPINION – Outdated regulations written before the internet existed continue to require broadband companies to prop up old copper telephone networks, even as consumers abandon them for the new horizons, capabilities, and possibilities of broadband.
Image by evan_huangOPINION – The California Public Utilities Commission should be applauded for its efforts to help California lead in advancing “broadband for all.” But misguided CPUC rulemaking on service quality threatens to reverse years of progress.
The digital divide, image via ShutterstockANALYSIS – California legislators must collaborate to create a holistic approach to addressing the digital divide. This includes exploring partnerships with internet service providers, investing in digital infrastructure, and advocating for increased funding for these crucial programs.
A computer user searches for housing using bro0adband. (Photo: Tada Images. via Shutterstock)OPINION: Even as the internet has kept us connected – there is more work to do to close the digital divide – especially for rural and low-income families. During this time of great disruption to our daily lives and dramatic shifts in behavior, our state’s broadband networks rose to the challenge despite unprecedented demand and network traffic.
An illustration of cloud computer linkages over L.A. at night. (Photo: TierneyCJ, via Shutterstock)OPINION: COVID-19 has tested our mettle and shined a light on long-held systematic deficiencies, forcing a re-prioritization of our “policy to-do list. “While the lack of equitable broadband accesshas served as a barrier to innovation, opportunity and connection among Californians for more than two decades, this inequity has caused more harm in one year of a pandemic than in the previous 25.
A digital expert checks high-speed broadband connections at numerous servers. (Photo: Gorodenkoff, via Shutterstock)OPINION: When life went online in March 2020 due to pandemic stay-at-home orders, ensuring access to high-speed broadband service quickly became one of our state’s highest priorities. Now, nearly a year later, task forces have been assembled, executive orders have been issued and the Legislature faces a flurry of new broadband bills with a dizzying array of both new and old proposed solutions.
Rush-hour traffic on the 405 in L.A. (Photo: Vince360, via Shutterstock)OPINION: We now know that good and responsible drivers in predominantly African-American and Latino communities are being punished and penalized based on where they live, rather than how they drive. We have the power to change that by giving consumers the option of using technologies such as telematics.
An image of voters on a digital information background. (Illustration: Maksim Kabakou, via Shutterstock)With all the headlines about Cambridge Analytica and the potential that millions of Facebook users had their data leaked to third parties, there is one obvious question on the minds of candidates and consultants: What will this mean for continued use of digital ads in my campaign? The answer: Probably nothing.