Closing the Digital Divide in the Unincorporated Area

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AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) FUNDING FOR BROADBAND

In San Diego County’s unincorporated areas, there are pockets where high-speed internet is unavailable, unreliable or unaffordable. The County is working to reduce the digital gap and has made available $9 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act for broadband infrastructure.

Through an appointed Broadband Committee, the County has selected projects submitted by Internet Service Providers to provide affordable broadband service to residents in three unincorporated areas:

  • $4.7M awarded to Onward to deliver high-speed internet service to 281 households in Warner Springs.
  • $2.7M awarded to AT&T to deliver high-speed internet service to 101 households in San Dieguito.
  • $1.5M awarded to AT&T to deliver high-speed internet service to 53 households in Ramona.

Each chosen project provides affordable internet service at or below $30 per month to low-income households.

In July 2024, the Notice of Funding Availability was shared with all known Internet Service Providers in the County. The County requested grant proposals through public outreach and engagement based on findings from the Comprehensive Broadband Plan. The Plan supports the County’s efforts in attempting to close the digital divide in the unincorporated area by identifying problem areas and the partnerships, infrastructure and education needed to change that.

“These projects will provide affordable internet plans for low-income households, and high-speed internet access, strengthening residents’ connection to telehealth, education and economic opportunities. This is one of several positive outcomes for the community advanced by our Comprehensive Broadband Plan,” said Dahvia Lynch, general manager of the County’s Land Use & Environment Group leading broadband efforts for the County.

Construction of the internet and full operable service into the homes will be completed by December 31, 2026.


Broadband Needs Across the County

In an increasingly interconnected world, high-speed internet isn’t just a luxury – it’s a lifeline. It connects our residents to telehealth, education, banking, public safety, resilience, economic opportunity and social well-being. In San Diego County’s unincorporated areas, there are pockets where high-speed internet is unavailable, unreliable or unaffordable. The map below provides an overview of these locations overlayed with information on census tracts in the unincorporated areas based on the County's Comprehensive Broadband Plan. The double arrows on the top left of the map has filtering features for ease of use.


Other Funding Opportunities

The County will also be looking for ways to partner with local public and private entities for future State and Federal funding opportunities. If you would like to get more information on how to join the County in closing the digital divide, you may Ask a Question below or send an email to broadband.grants@sdcounty.ca.gov.


PAST PROGRAMS


Broadband Infographic available in other languages to the right under Documents

The Comprehensive Broadband Plan

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 Comprehensive Broadband Plan supports the County’s efforts in attempting to close the digital divide in the unincorporated area by identifying problem areas and the partnerships, infrastructure and education needed to increase access to essential services like telehealth, education, banking, public safety, resilience, and economic opportunity. The Comprehensive Broadband Plan was used as the foundation for developing the scope for projects eligible to be funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Let us know what you think about the scope of projects below, the comment period is open now!


The Affordable Connectivity Program

The Plan was used in 2023-2024 to advance the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) within priority communities, like those in rural and border areas. The Program was implemented by the County’s Department of Homeless Solutions & Equitable Communities. The Affordable Connectivity Program stopped accepting new applications and enrollments on February 7, 2024. The last fully funded month of the program was April 2024. Since the program ended, the County has added an optional program opportunity for Internet Service Providers to continue to subsidize internet costs for households who qualified for ACP or those that would have qualified had they had access to internet. Let us know what you think below, the comment period is open now!


Get Connected Digital Skills Classes

The Plan was used for locations where the Get Connected Digital Skills Classes were hosted through a partnership between the County, SANDAG, 211 and lead by the San Diego Future’s Foundations.

For more information: Digital Skills Classes


Tech Connect Program

The Plan compliments the County’s ongoing broadband improvement efforts including the County Library’s Tech Connect Program that provides 7,000 Google Chromebooks and MiFi hotspots with unlimited data plans to connect residents and students to the internet for free. The take-home kits ensured that our communities have the technology needed for full participation in our society and economy. The library has extended the program this year to purchase 2,000 MiFi hotspots for check-out.

For More Information: Tech Connect Resources

By implementing the Plan’s strategy, the County will continue to build regional partnerships and engage public and private entities to work together to expand broadband access.




AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) FUNDING FOR BROADBAND

In San Diego County’s unincorporated areas, there are pockets where high-speed internet is unavailable, unreliable or unaffordable. The County is working to reduce the digital gap and has made available $9 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act for broadband infrastructure.

Through an appointed Broadband Committee, the County has selected projects submitted by Internet Service Providers to provide affordable broadband service to residents in three unincorporated areas:

  • $4.7M awarded to Onward to deliver high-speed internet service to 281 households in Warner Springs.
  • $2.7M awarded to AT&T to deliver high-speed internet service to 101 households in San Dieguito.
  • $1.5M awarded to AT&T to deliver high-speed internet service to 53 households in Ramona.

Each chosen project provides affordable internet service at or below $30 per month to low-income households.

In July 2024, the Notice of Funding Availability was shared with all known Internet Service Providers in the County. The County requested grant proposals through public outreach and engagement based on findings from the Comprehensive Broadband Plan. The Plan supports the County’s efforts in attempting to close the digital divide in the unincorporated area by identifying problem areas and the partnerships, infrastructure and education needed to change that.

“These projects will provide affordable internet plans for low-income households, and high-speed internet access, strengthening residents’ connection to telehealth, education and economic opportunities. This is one of several positive outcomes for the community advanced by our Comprehensive Broadband Plan,” said Dahvia Lynch, general manager of the County’s Land Use & Environment Group leading broadband efforts for the County.

Construction of the internet and full operable service into the homes will be completed by December 31, 2026.


Broadband Needs Across the County

In an increasingly interconnected world, high-speed internet isn’t just a luxury – it’s a lifeline. It connects our residents to telehealth, education, banking, public safety, resilience, economic opportunity and social well-being. In San Diego County’s unincorporated areas, there are pockets where high-speed internet is unavailable, unreliable or unaffordable. The map below provides an overview of these locations overlayed with information on census tracts in the unincorporated areas based on the County's Comprehensive Broadband Plan. The double arrows on the top left of the map has filtering features for ease of use.


Other Funding Opportunities

The County will also be looking for ways to partner with local public and private entities for future State and Federal funding opportunities. If you would like to get more information on how to join the County in closing the digital divide, you may Ask a Question below or send an email to broadband.grants@sdcounty.ca.gov.


PAST PROGRAMS


Broadband Infographic available in other languages to the right under Documents

The Comprehensive Broadband Plan

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 Comprehensive Broadband Plan supports the County’s efforts in attempting to close the digital divide in the unincorporated area by identifying problem areas and the partnerships, infrastructure and education needed to increase access to essential services like telehealth, education, banking, public safety, resilience, and economic opportunity. The Comprehensive Broadband Plan was used as the foundation for developing the scope for projects eligible to be funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Let us know what you think about the scope of projects below, the comment period is open now!


The Affordable Connectivity Program

The Plan was used in 2023-2024 to advance the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) within priority communities, like those in rural and border areas. The Program was implemented by the County’s Department of Homeless Solutions & Equitable Communities. The Affordable Connectivity Program stopped accepting new applications and enrollments on February 7, 2024. The last fully funded month of the program was April 2024. Since the program ended, the County has added an optional program opportunity for Internet Service Providers to continue to subsidize internet costs for households who qualified for ACP or those that would have qualified had they had access to internet. Let us know what you think below, the comment period is open now!


Get Connected Digital Skills Classes

The Plan was used for locations where the Get Connected Digital Skills Classes were hosted through a partnership between the County, SANDAG, 211 and lead by the San Diego Future’s Foundations.

For more information: Digital Skills Classes


Tech Connect Program

The Plan compliments the County’s ongoing broadband improvement efforts including the County Library’s Tech Connect Program that provides 7,000 Google Chromebooks and MiFi hotspots with unlimited data plans to connect residents and students to the internet for free. The take-home kits ensured that our communities have the technology needed for full participation in our society and economy. The library has extended the program this year to purchase 2,000 MiFi hotspots for check-out.

For More Information: Tech Connect Resources

By implementing the Plan’s strategy, the County will continue to build regional partnerships and engage public and private entities to work together to expand broadband access.




Share your story

We want to hear from you! Share your story and experiences about how you access the internet in San Diego County (e.g., your home or public Wi-Fi at the library). Do you and your family have access to the speeds, devices, and training needed to participate in school, work, or public services? What challenges do you face?

Thank you for sharing your story with us.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share Fallbrook Community on Facebook Share Fallbrook Community on Twitter Share Fallbrook Community on Linkedin Email Fallbrook Community link

    Fallbrook Community

    by Dbarajas1401, 12 months ago

    I appreciate your time and willingness to present to our community. As a member I ask that the following in the evaluation categories and criteria presented yesterday:

    1. More emphasis (points) on regional collaboration to encourage community-driven projects. I believe this is a more sustainable model in the long term to avoid future price increases from the large corporations to the communities most in need.
    2. More emphasis on looking at portions of locations that are underserved and have unreliable internet. This is important because Fallbrook is very rural and there are many community members aging, learning, seeking medical care, and working... Continue reading
  • Share Unreliable Internet in Borrego Springs on Facebook Share Unreliable Internet in Borrego Springs on Twitter Share Unreliable Internet in Borrego Springs on Linkedin Email Unreliable Internet in Borrego Springs link

    Unreliable Internet in Borrego Springs

    by Jim Dax, 12 months ago
    In many years, I have been a part-time and full-time residence we have had unreliable Internet consistently. While there has been periods of improvement, it is still unreliable. It would be a tremendous gain for our community to have improved reliable Internet. Thank you, Jim Dax
  • Share Valley Center on Facebook Share Valley Center on Twitter Share Valley Center on Linkedin Email Valley Center link

    Valley Center

    by th3w, over 2 years ago
    I'm the only house on my street that doesn't have access to cable internet and have to rely on the fixed wireless service that caps out at 15 Mbps at over $100. My only option is to pay out of pocket to have a line dug from a neighboring property, which is incredibly expensive.
  • Share Dangerous instability during fires or other life threatening emergencies on Facebook Share Dangerous instability during fires or other life threatening emergencies on Twitter Share Dangerous instability during fires or other life threatening emergencies on Linkedin Email Dangerous instability during fires or other life threatening emergencies link

    Dangerous instability during fires or other life threatening emergencies

    by CharlieG, almost 3 years ago
    last two years the power was shut off in the area while a large fire was nearby. due to limited cellular signal (verizon) we rely on wifi calling and LTE extenders for signal. this left us completely disconnected from any communication, information or evacuation alerts.
  • Share slow on Facebook Share slow on Twitter Share slow on Linkedin Email slow link

    slow

    by ruly, almost 3 years ago
    Very slow wi-fi reception,all the time. Even with an ethernet connection. Cannot stream from netflix or any other WI-FI download.
  • Share For Borrego Springs: on Facebook Share For Borrego Springs: on Twitter Share For Borrego Springs: on Linkedin Email For Borrego Springs: link

    For Borrego Springs:

    by Borrego Springs Economic Development/Tourism/Education, about 3 years ago

    For Borrego Springs:

    1. Our need for reliable internet is urgent. We suffer outages every week, which makes it very difficult to work, learn, or operate a business.
    2. There are federal and state grant programs that are coming online, and we would like San Diego County to move beyond studies and reports.
    3. We would like to see a specific plan for Borrego Springs in 2022-23, that can then be expanded to other rural parts of the county. We have active community participation in the Revitalization Committees, which would be glad to assist.
Page last updated: 06 Jan 2025, 02:44 PM