Though broadband Internet adoption has increased throughout California in the past decade, certain communities have still lagged behind: low-income, Latino, and rural households in particular.
In an effort to reach these communities, the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) announced last week that is launching a media campaign, including radio ads in English and Spanish, to increase broadband adoption and digital literacy training in the Central Valley by promoting discounted broadband offers available to them.
"The growth in broadband adoption has happened in the Central Valley because of a focused commitment by community leaders and innovative execution by public, private and non-profit partners," said Sunne Wright McPeak, president and CEO of CETF, in a press release.
"We are launching this campaign now to continue building on the momentum, and help valley residents learn of new opportunities to obtain discounted broadband and the tools they need to get connected," McPeak continued.
FreedomPop offers low-income households a $49 "plug and play" router and free access to 1 GB of wireless Internet service. They also offer an additional 12 GB for $9.99 per month. Comcast offers free and reduced school lunch participants unlimited high-speed Internet for $9.95 per month; this is also available to qualified homeschool and parochial school students.
