County Study Advances Ways to Close Digital Divide in Unincorporated Area

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Broadband Infographic available in other languages to the right under Documents


To improve internet access, reliability, and affordability in the unincorporated areas – a basic need in today’s connected world – the County conducted an extensive study to identify areas lacking reliable, affordable service and the infrastructure needed to change that.



The newly released study called the Comprehensive Broadband Plan (Plan) was developed in partnership with Guidehouse Inc., industry stakeholders, and the community at-large. Its goal is to promote digital equity through robust and affordable broadband infrastructure and education. The County will also be collaborating with public and private stakeholders to take advantage of funding opportunities to deliver the needed infrastructure. The Plan ranks broadband need by census tract which helps prioritize the areas with the greatest need.

The Plan compliments the County’s ongoing broadband improvement efforts including the County Library’s Tech Connect program that provides 7,000 laptops and Wi-Fi cards for free, and its partnership with SANDAG’s GetConnected program.

On this site, you will find information on progress, updates, and opportunities to engage with the project as an individual and as a community. Looking to get involved further?

  • Ask questions, share stories, and submit suggestions via this website!

Broadband Infographic available in other languages to the right under Documents


To improve internet access, reliability, and affordability in the unincorporated areas – a basic need in today’s connected world – the County conducted an extensive study to identify areas lacking reliable, affordable service and the infrastructure needed to change that.



The newly released study called the Comprehensive Broadband Plan (Plan) was developed in partnership with Guidehouse Inc., industry stakeholders, and the community at-large. Its goal is to promote digital equity through robust and affordable broadband infrastructure and education. The County will also be collaborating with public and private stakeholders to take advantage of funding opportunities to deliver the needed infrastructure. The Plan ranks broadband need by census tract which helps prioritize the areas with the greatest need.

The Plan compliments the County’s ongoing broadband improvement efforts including the County Library’s Tech Connect program that provides 7,000 laptops and Wi-Fi cards for free, and its partnership with SANDAG’s GetConnected program.

On this site, you will find information on progress, updates, and opportunities to engage with the project as an individual and as a community. Looking to get involved further?

  • Ask questions, share stories, and submit suggestions via this website!

Q&A

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    We are seniors who live in an unicorporated area of San DiegoCan you please provide the Attestation Form needed to enroll in the program?

    HELEN MCBRADY asked 5 months ago

    Hi, you can apply at Universal Service Administrative Company Affordable Connectivity Program (affordableconnectivity.gov).

    affordable connectivity program
    affordable connectivity program
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    When do you expect to have the "Comprehensive Broadband Plan" in place seeing as it's taken 18 months since the strategy to create a plan for "rapid"(?) deployment and adoption of this plan was decided? And then, how long to do anything meaningful?

    Jo asked 12 months ago

    The Comprehensive Broadband plan is expected to be completed by the end of this summer and will help prioritize and guide connectivity solutions in areas of greatest need. The County plans to collaborate with public and private entities to create equitable access across its communities in order to set the foundations for better connectivity.

    schedule
    schedule
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    Do you plan to put Warner Springs on this List for Community Workshops? We have a Community Resource Center for PSPS with SDG&E and of course we have the needs of the Warner Springs School & possibly the use of their Auditorium for a Workshop.

    Kathryn Davies asked about 1 year ago

    The locations were prioritized based on ensuring proximity to population centers within each of the Supervisorial districts— we endeavored to balance the region between the 12 location options. In addition to population, metrics on accessibility and social vulnerability were factored in. We are hosting the community meetings at locations that have libraries and larger populations.  

    Residents who are not close enough to a community meeting have options to participate. They can:  

    workshops
    workshops
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    Does the plan include Valley Center?

    Jim asked about 1 year ago

    Yes, the plan covers the entire unincorporated area.

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    I have been without internet access since moving to Via de la Roca, Fallbrook in 2003. It seems like the Broadband Plan will take a long time to provide us relief. When can we expect internet access?

    hammerin77 asked about 1 year ago

    The plan is expected to complete by end of summer 2022. The goal of the plan is to acquire funding to address gaps in the unincorporated area. In the interim, I would encourage you to reach out to one of the providers in your area that appears to offer coverage http://www.sandiegobroadband.com/

    internet service providers
    internet service providers
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    Is there another service other than Hughesnet for the Santa Ysabel/ Julian area

    Doda2005 asked about 1 year ago

    For satellite service providers, it’s our understanding that others exist, including Starlink https://www.starlink.com/

    satellite internet
    satellite internet
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    Does this include cable tv?

    Wendy Quinn asked about 1 year ago

    Indirectly yes because cable service providers also provide Internet service and use the same infrastructure to deliver service.

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    We (Sky Valley Network) are the broadband provider in rural Ramona with the longest track record and most subscribers. How can we help you reach your goals while also enhancing service to the over 1350 families using our service?

    Bill Schweitzer asked about 1 year ago

    We appreciate your eagerness to participate and encourage you to stay engaged through this website as we finish our plan for the region.

    collaboration
    collaboration
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    Why workshops in Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley and Fallbrook where access should be great, but none in Descanso nor Campo where service is scarce or slow.

    sdecteacher asked about 1 year ago

    The locations were prioritized based on ensuring proximity to population centers within each of the Supervisorial districts— we endeavored to balance the region between the 12 location options. In addition to population, metrics on accessibility and social vulnerability were factored in. We are hosting the community meetings at locations that have libraries and larger populations.  Workshops are being offered in Potrero on June 8th, Jacumba on June 9th and Alpine June 10th.

    Residents who are not close enough to a community meeting have options to participate. They can:  

    workshops
    workshops
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    How long will it take before you get a plan going? I am a homeschool teacher for Mountain Empire Unified School District. We serve the Potrero, Boulevard/Jacumba, Campo, Pine Valley and Descanso communities. We Zoom with our homeschool families and you can only imagine how troublesome it is to get good internet signal out here. Please let me know if I can be of any help. Thank you!

    Lorena Enriquez asked about 1 year ago

    We are striving to complete the plan by the end of Summer 2022. The plan will help prioritize areas where there are gaps. 

    schedule
    schedule
Page last updated: 08 May 2023, 10:23 PM