County of San Diego Broadband Program

Learn more about the County’s Broadband Program

• Notice of Funding Availability
• Broadband Technical Memos
• The Comprehensive Broadband Plan
• State and Federal Grants for Broadband - NEW
• Digital Literacy Campaign
• Get Connected Campaign
• Engage with the County

Notice of Funding Availability

The application window has closed for the use of $9 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Awards will be announced in October, 2024.

The County is reviewing for proposals from eligible applicants to develop a project or program that expands high-speed, reliable and affordable internet to communities in the unincorporated area. It is important to recognize that the amount of ARPA funding available is not enough to get broadband access to every single one of the 37,000 households who need it, which is why the County has developed the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to maximizing the reach of every dollar for the unincorporated communities most in need. 

For more information on the County’s Broadband effort or to access the NOFA, visit the Broadband Engagement website. If you have questions on the scope or scoring of the NOFA,you may send an email to broadband.grants@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is available for eligible applicants which include Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that are capable of providing broadband services and or monthly internet for communities in the unincorporated County. Additionally, Nonprofits, governmental agencies, education providers, and cooperatives may be considered eligible if they are able to demonstrate the capacity to provide internet services or have a partnership with an ISP that can provide the internet services. 

Application Window

The application window is projected to be open from July 10, 2024 thru August 21, 2024. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by submitting a proposal to broadband.grants@sdcounty.ca.gov. 

Broadband Technical Memos

The LUEG Executive Office consulted with Arcadis to expand upon the Comprehensive Broadband Plan and develop an approach to increase broadband access with available and upcoming federal funding. Arcadis’ analysis and the recommendations can be found on the Broadband Engagement website in the following technical memos:

1. SD County Broadband 
2. Municipal Options and Strategies
3. Cost-Benefit Analysis

The technical memos highlighted some key findings for the region.

• Internet technology that meets the speed requirements and are viable in the unincorporated area with some considerations include mobile wireless, low earth orbit satellites, Wi-Fi, and fiber optics. 
• Fiber, although the most expensive technology, is preferred for development in census tracts that are in very-high wildfire risk areas where it costs less than $10k to develop. 
• Locations where it costs more than $10k to install fiber should use other technologies. 
• Public areas near priority census tracts can be invested in to expand community access to wireless internet in public spaces. 

The Comprehensive Broadband Plan

In January 2023, the Land Use and Environment Group finalized the County’s Comprehensive Broadband Plan (Plan) for the unincorporated area that identifies access and infrastructure opportunities, a huge step forward toward advancing digital equity. Through surveys and community meetings, the voices of stakeholders and community groups in the unincorporated areas, as well as the region’s Tribal nations helped inform the Plan. 

Here’s what residents in the unincorporated areas had to say:

• 92% of surveyed residents in the unincorporated area did not maintain an at-home internet subscription as a result of availability, reliability, or affordability concerns
• 58% of these residents say internet access is not available in their area
• 19% say internet access is too expensive
• 15% say internet speeds are too slow

Here are some of the other findings for the unincorporated areas:

• Areas in need of infrastructure tend to be located in rural, desert, mountainous areas in north and east county (e.g., Valley Center, Mountain Empire).
• These “internet deserts” are typically more rural, more mountainous, and lower income than their suburban peers. Residents within these communities often pay higher prices for lower speed internet access.
• Communities with low access in the region tend to be more rural and have populations with non-English speakers, lower education levels, and more poverty than average in the county.
• Income influences access to quality internet speed.

The Plan identifies priority locations by census tract based on broadband connectivity gaps, including lack of access and affordable options and prioritizes them by greatest need. 

The County used the findings from the Comprehensive Broadband Plan to identify the types of infrastructure projects needed to increase connectivity, such as locations best suited for fiber optic cables compared to use of other types of internet technology. The Plan helps the County’s expansion of its own infrastructure work with the private sector, other public agencies and local stakeholders to deliver needed changes, including necessary funding. 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.

The Plan was also used in determining how to advance the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) when engaging priority communities, like those in rural and border areas. Similarly, the Plan guided locations used to for the Get Connected Digital Skills Classes hosted by a partnership between the County, SANDAG, 211 and lead by the San Diego Future’s Foundations.

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 increase access to essential services like telehealth, education, banking, public safety, resilience, and economic opportunity. 

State and Federal Grants for Broadband

Digital Equity Competitive Grant 

The County of San Diego and the cities of San Diego, Escondido, and Oceanside and the San Diego Regional Policy and Innovation Center (SDRPIC) are pursuing federal grant funding to implement a digital equity program through the County’s extensive network of library systems and branches, which will provide increased access to internet devices and connectivity, digital skills classes, and a program that will provide a pipeline to the region’s workforce for the Covered Populations (as defined by the DECG Notice of Funding Opportunity) within the County’s jurisdiction. The joint regional proposal will be submitted in September 2024 to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. 

The County of San Diego is home to over 3.3 million people of which many are classified as Covered Populations and will receive digital equity benefits from the implementation of this program. The County and City of San Diego have undertaken extensive public outreach with local jurisdictions and community benefit organizations (CBO) to create a program that addresses the needs of the Covered Populations. Additionally, the Program is aligned with the County’s and City’s existing initiatives and plans to address the barriers to digital equity faced by Covered Populations within the County and City’s jurisdictions. 

Digital Literacy Campaign

The San Diego County Library (SDCL) improves digital equity through its library branches and in partnership with County agencies by providing the following services:

• Access to technology via high-speed internet and technologies for video conferencing, printing, scanning, faxing, and 3D printers. 
• Internal and external 24/7 Wi-Fi.
• 1G high-speed internet service available through the public network at all 33 SDCL Branches.
• Vet Connect stations at nine library locations, allowing veterans to access services and complete paperwork without having to travel to the Office of Military & Veterans Affairs in person. 

Thanks to a $4.3 million federal grant in 2021-2022, SDCL was able to create the TechConnect Program. Through this grant, the Library provided free Google Chromebooks and MiFi hotspots with unlimited data plans into the hands of 7,000 people to residents and students. 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 in 2023 year to purchase 2,000 MiFi hotspots for check-out. 

In addition, the library has provided 200,000 free public Wi-Fi sessions and currently offers 87,000 desktops and laptops available for check out. 

County’s Library Tech Connect, where community members can access free technology support and digital literacy training classes.

Get Connected Campaign

In early 2022, the County in partnership with SANDAG, the City of San Diego, and 211 San Diego launched the Get Connected Campaign to increase awareness of resources that help people connect to the internet. Through advertisements and social media posts, available in 8 languages, the Get Connected Campaign aims to overcome digital barriers by linking people to a one-stop shop of community resources for discounted internet subscriptions and electronic devices. 

The County and SANDAG are in the process of implementing Get Connected Digital Skills Classes in partnership with 211 San Diego and led by the San Diego Futures Foundation (SDFF). This educational outreach effort is available in rural, tribal, and urban underserved areas. 

The Get Connected Digital Skills courses will last 8 hours (over 1-2 days) and benefit approximately 25 community members at each site. The SDFF begun hosting the in-person trainings that are planned in locations identified as priority census tracts in the County’s Comprehensive Broadband Plan.

The Get Connected program is part of SANDAG’s Regional Digital Equity Strategy and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to expand high-speed internet access and adoption in the San Diego region and bridge the digital divide.

For more information visit: Digital Literacy Training – San Diego Futures Foundation
 

Comprehensive Broadband Plan Report
 

Other Resources:

California Interactive Broadband Map