Topline:
Affordable internet service will be available to households and small businesses in East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights by the end of 2025, with further expansion in 2026.
Why it matters: It’s estimated that more than 20,000 households in the East L.A. and Boyle Heights area are without home internet, according to the Delete The Divide initiative. “These areas have been greatly impacted by the digital divide, which was further heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to a joint statement by Los Angeles County and WeLink, partners in the initiative.
About the service: Internet plans will start at $25 per month for qualifying households. For those who don’t qualify, plans will start at $65 per month. Monthly rates, excluding any government fees or taxes, are fixed until at least September 2027. Plans will include, among other features, unlimited data, parental controls, and no cash deposits or credit checks will be required.
Read on . . . to find out how to sign up
Affordable internet service will be available to households and small businesses in East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights starting later this year.
Internet plans will start at $25 per month for qualifying households. For those who don’t qualify, plans will start at $65 per month. Monthly rates, excluding any government fees or taxes, are fixed until at least September 2027.
The services will start in limited areas of East L.A. and Boyle Heights by the end of 2025, with further expansion in 2026.
What the plans include
- Speeds of at least 500 megabits per second
- Unlimited data
- A free Wi-Fi router
- Parental controls
- Multilingual customer support
- No cash deposits or credit checks are required
Who’s behind the service?
This service will be made possible through a “Delete The Divide” partnership between the Los Angeles County's Internal Services Department and internet provider WeLink Communications, which already offers high-speed internet service in Estrada Courts.
It’s estimated that more than 20,000 households in the East L.A. and Boyle Heights area are without home internet, according to the Delete The Divide initiative.
“These areas have been greatly impacted by the digital divide, which was further heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to a joint statement by the county and WeLink.
Eric Sasaki, a manager with the county’s Internal Services Department, said internet plans will be fast enough to support multigenerational households with multiple devices.
He added that service representatives will go door-to-door to advertise the offer and to sign people up on the spot.
Additional neighborhoods covered
Other neighborhoods that will be covered under this initiative are: Lincoln Heights, Montecito Heights, El Sereno. A full list can be found here.
How to get notified
Delete The Divide offers an interactive map on its website showing where the service will be available. If you’re within the service areas, you can sign up to receive updates about availability.
Application and availability details
Requirements for the low-cost plan are still being finalized. The county and WeLink are working to ensure that:
- Residents will be able to apply and receive an immediate decision
- This new service is sustainable and will continue to expand in the future
There may be a waiting list for the low-cost plan due to expected demand. However, the $65/month plan (with at least 500 Mbps speeds) will be available without qualification requirements.
