February 8, 2021 - The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) continues to prioritize broadband deployment and infrastructure needs as a core advocacy issue and is committed to a suite of solutions across the organization to connect communities to reliable, high-speed internet.  The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is currently investigating how to strategically deploy robust and affordable broadband access to close the digital divide and opened a formal proceeding on Broadband Infrastructure Deployment. 

Last Monday, RCRC responded to a proposal on rebuilding broadband infrastructure after a wildfire and advocated for necessary infrastructure to be included with Investor-Owned Utility service restoration to provide open-access fiber options to the affected community.  RCRC suggests disasters not be limited to wildfire, as comparably destructive events (such as mudslides, earthquakes and floods) that require restoration of service may provide similar opportunities for inclusion of fiber conduit.  Further, RCRC argues rebuild requirements should not solely apply based on the type of disaster, but should instead be based on the severity of the disaster, such as a state or federal disaster designation.  Of the approximately 400,000 households that lack dial-up connection speeds, nearly all are in rural areas of the state which consistently bear the brunt of natural disasters and man-made adversities like proactive electric de-energization during extreme weather events.  RCRC’s full comments can be found here. 

The CPUC has outlined multiple phases of this proceeding to consider key issues, such as how strategies, incentives, and standards can improve open access for multiple carriers in deploying wireline and wireless infrastructure in rural areas, as well as investigate the role investor-owned utilities can play in deploying broadband services to communities lacking access to download speeds of 100 Mbps. 
Source: Rural County Representatives of California