Los Angeles County is rolling out its own high-speed broadband service, a move set to benefit residents in South L.A., East L.A., and Boyle Heights. With some service plans starting as low as $25 a month, the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities.
Scheduled to launch later this year, the service will be facilitated through public-private partnerships known as Community Broadband Networks. Offering a fast, fixed wireless connection with speeds of up to 2 gigabits per second, the service plans cater to various needs and budgets.
Market-rate plans will begin at $65 for speeds of up to 500 Mbps, scaling up to $85 for 2 gig speeds, as reported by LAist. For low-income residents, the monthly costs could be as affordable as $25 for 500 Mbps and up to $45 for 2 gig speeds.
Eligibility criteria for the program include a household income below 200% of the federal poverty line or receiving government benefits like SNAP or Medicaid. Regardless of the plan chosen, all subscribers will enjoy benefits like unlimited data and no contractual obligations.
Even at the most affordable tier, families will have the capability to stream high-quality video across multiple devices simultaneously. While the initial rollout targets specific areas, the county plans to expand the service to other cities, albeit with potentially varying pricing structures based on partnerships.
The introduction of this service follows a period of concern over rising internet costs, particularly as a popular government program providing $30 monthly discounts for internet service faces depletion of funds. With the program’s final dollars expected to be distributed in May, the move by Los Angeles County represents a proactive step towards ensuring equitable access to essential digital services for its residents.
