Southeast Los Angeles to Receive High Speed Internet
The Southeast Cities Technology Collaborative, an initiative by the Southeast Community Development Corporation to bring high-speed broadband Internet access to southeast Los Angeles, received two grant awards to help them close the digital divide in LA.
The grants are for $476,000 from the California Emerging Technology Fund and $301,000 from the city of Vernon. These grants are necessary to help many people in underserved areas who lack high access to high speed Internet gain access to computers.
Areas of southeast Los Angeles lack widespread public access to computers and high speed access and are currently part of the digital divide, the growing disparity in achievement and possibilities for those with high speed Internet access and those who don't.
Households who earn less than $40,000 a year are 58% less likely to own a computer than those who make above $80,000. Additionally, only 49% of them have some form of Internet access. The digital divide "is a concern for California's future global competitiveness." The grants given will help improve these numbers in the communities of southeast LA.
It is in the best interest of the entire country, both economically and socially, for as many people as possible to have high speed Internet access to improve communication, education, health care, and the quality of life in general.
Under-Served Los Angeles Residents to Gain Internet Access (TMC Net)
Southeast Community Development Corporation (SCDC)
CWA members oppose AT&T’s attempts to stop serving rural and low-income communities in California
CWA urges FCC to deny industry attempts to loosen pole attachment standards
CWA District 6 reaches agreement with AT&T Mobility