SUMMARY:

The Infrastructure Task Force held its first meeting on May 26, 2021, and included representatives from multiple sectors interested in resolving the digital divide in the Los Angeles County region. Task force members had a fruitful discussion around priority areas to focus on at future convenings. All members had the opportunity to provide feedback through discussion, chat-box, or by responding to questions via a jam board. The jam board was a very productive tool and generated about 80 sticky note comments, suggestions, or inquiries.

Here are the key themes from the discussion on infrastructure:

1. Current barriers preventing under-served and unserved households from having internet access include:

2. Cost monthly subscriptions

3. Income eligibility requirements high

4. Policy and politics barriers

5. Competition and Innovation

6. Digital literacy

7. How can we consolidate information on broadband infrastructure and make it publicly available:

8. Consolidation of public assets, including street lights and poles with devices

9. Policy and Innovation: Include sunlight requirements to build infrastructure with public dollars to pair up permitting modernization

10. How do we prioritize communities that are experiencing infrastructure and service gaps:

11. Use index with socio-economic variables and asset map internet coverage area

The suggested breakout subtopic considerations are presented given the initial feedback from task force members:

1. Asset mapping – gaps analysis

2. Permitting – issues and resolutions

3. Project ID and support – Innovative technologies/solutions

4. Standard setting (on speed and reliability)

The infrastructure task force will meet virtually monthly and includes health, nonprofit, education, business, city municipalities, and internet service providers. To learn more, visit: ladeal.org/events.

Updated: Sep 2, 2021