The Digital Divide in the San Diego Region
Introduction
The internet is a fundamental part of life.
The
COVID-19 pandemic has presented tremendous challenges, especially people
without internet access.
High-quality, high-speed internet service is
referred to as broadband. Inequities in broadband availability and
affordability impact households and businesses across the region. The
growing gap between people who do and do not have reliable access to broadband
and a suitable device for connecting to the internet is known as the digital
divide. This divide has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and
without new policies and programs to address this issue, it will continue to
worsen.
Broadband 101
Broadband service relies on a network of communications infrastructure.
Fiber
is the backbone of broadband networks. The middle mile brings the internet to
network hubs at population centers. From there, Internet Service Providers
(ISPs) make the last mile connection to homes and businesses through wired or
wireless technologies such as 5G, fiber, satellite, cable, or DSL.
Not all internet connections are considered “broadband.”
The
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines a broadband connection as one
with a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps and a minimum upload speed of 3 Mbps,
or 25/3 Mbps. However, these speeds are inadequate for today's environment
where many people under one household may be online doing schoolwork, telework,
or streaming video games or television. Recognizing this, the State of
California has set a new broadband standard of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps
upload.
Broadband Access
The digital divide affects urban and rural communities differently.
This
map shows where fixed broadband meets the FCC’s broadband standard of 25/3
Mbps. The lack of broadband service in the unincorporated parts of the County
means that only 66% of rural communities have access to fixed broadband that
meets the FCC’s low threshold. In comparison, 94% of people in the region’s
urban areas have access to fixed broadband service.
Most
of the region is only served by one or two broadband providers, leaving rural and tribal communities with little to no
choice of service and speed.
Data
on broadband access comes from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
Broadband Adoption
Affordability
is one of the main barriers preventing people from subscribing to an internet
service plan, according to a survey
by the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF).
The
cost for internet plans differs throughout San Diego County, but many rural
and tribal communities experience disproportionally higher costs.
The
higher-cost internet services tend to be located in areas with limited
choices of providers, directly impacting rural, tribal, and low-income
communities.
Paying more does not always equate to better service.
Rural
and tribal communities are often constrained in their choice of internet
service providers and end up paying more for speeds that do not meet the
minimum 25/3 broadband threshold.
The
summary of internet plans in San Diego County (left image) shows how higher
charges in monthly rate changes does not directly equate to higher download
speeds.
Data
on broadband costs comes from Broadband Now.
Lack
of a computer and/or broadband subscription disproportionately impacts
low-income households, seniors, and minority populations, as illustrated in the maps below.
These
communities were also impacted most by the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to face high
unemployment rates.
Broadband Infrastructure
These gaps in broadband service throughout the region are also where the greatest gaps in infrastructure exist.
Although
more granular data on broadband infrastructure is unavailable, SANDAG, with the
help of Caltrans and data from the CPUC, was able to identify the census blocks
where broadband providers have invested in fiber.
In
addition to fiber that is owned and managed by private companies, government
agencies like SANDAG, Caltrans, North County Transit District (NCTD), and
Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) have invested in fiber to operate
transportation services and systems. Currently, this fiber is exclusively used
for transportation purposes, but excess capacity could be shared to expand access
and bring down costs of broadband service.
Strategies to Bridge the Digital Divide
Broadband
is a necessary public service. To achieve our vision for a connected region,
these seven overarching strategies have been developed to address the range of digital
inequities that exist in the region today.