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In L.A., middle-mile broadband infrastructure plans along major highways in South and Southeast L.A. cities were initially cut from the phase one plans, while infrastructure plans for Beverly Hills and West L.A. moved forward.
What was originally intended to be 28 miles of fiber connectivity along I-580, I-980 and State Route 185 -- the last of which doubles as International Boulevard in Oakland -- have been consolidated into a single strand that runs south of Lake Merritt and no longer cuts through the flatlands of East Oakland.
Two years ago, state officials directed a total of $3.87B to close the digital divide and expand Internet access. But since then, the plans have been significantly reduced and lower-income neighborhoods have been left out.
What was originally intended to be 28 miles of fiber connectivity along I-580, I-980 and State Route 185 -- the last of which doubles as International Boulevard in Oakland -- have been consolidated into a single strand that runs south of Lake Merritt and no longer cuts through the flatlands of East Oakland.
Recent success in closing the digital divide in Oakland, California, schools suggests what a partnership approach can achieve.