About

Fulfilling his commitment to digitally connect California’s people, businesses and cities to each other and the world, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger established the California Broadband Initiative on November 28, 2006 by signing Executive Order S-23-06, Twenty-First Century Government: Expanding Broadband Access and Usage in California. The Executive Order designated the Business, Transportation & Housing Agency (BTH) as the lead coordinator for implementation of the state’s broadband policy and most of the requirements under the California Broadband Initiative.

Under the auspices of Executive Order S-23-06, the Broadband Initiative accomplished the following activities in 2007:

1. Creation of the California Broadband Task Force: The California Broadband Task Force includes public and private stakeholders who worked for over a year to develop a comprehensive report that identifies current broadband availability and recommends ways to remove barriers to broadband access while identifying opportunities for increased deployment.
2. Streamlined and Expedited State Rights-of-Way (ROW) Permitting:
   • Caltrans has developed a pilot database that enables two-way communication about upcoming Caltrans construction projects and encourages joint trenching by providers. This website also allows Caltrans to determine if there is demand for broadband conduit in projects. See www.dot.ca.gov/broadband.
   • State ROW fees imposed on broadband providers have been modified to reflect only the actual costs incurred by the State.
   • State ROW permitting has been streamlined through a uniform application, new regulations and the designation of broadband liaisons within certain departments.
3. Broadband Data Collection and Analysis: In 2007, the California Broadband Task Force, in partnership with the California Emerging Technology Fund, undertook the first comprehensive assessment of broadband availability in California. In 2008, the Broadband Initiative will continue this activity, actively coordinating with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which is collecting broadband availability and adoption information through the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006.
4. Increased E-Government Activities (Led by the Department of General Services and the Department of Technology Services):
   • Use of Advanced Communication Technologies: The Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Technology Services (DTS) have established State contracts and provided consulting services to facilitate efficient usage of Webcasting and Voice of Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. See www.broadband.dgs.ca.gov for more information.
   • Wireless Access: DGS is encouraging State Agencies that receive a large number of visitors to offer wireless Internet access.  DGS is also developing a proposal for offering wireless Internet access in the State Capitol building. DGS will also establish a contract with one or more companies that agree to preset terms and conditions for placing wireless broadband equipment on State buildings. See www.broadband.dgs.ca.gov.
5. Formation of a Cabinet-Level Working Group: In order for State Agencies to best coordinate many of their policies and practices that affect broadband access and usage, a Cabinet-Level Working Group was established to assist in implementation of the California Broadband Initiative and to support interagency efforts. Click here to see the membership of and the contact information for the Cabinet-Level Working Group.
6. Development and management of a Broadband Best Practices Summit which convened over 160 broadband and technology stakeholders to learn from broadband initiatives in 12 other states