Hundreds Of Thousands Of Angelenos Are Disconnected From Digital Life

[Editor's note: this week we officially launch a new beat, Digital Equity, covered by reporter Nereida Moreno]

Bell resident Ricardo Gonzalez stops by his local public library at least once a week to use the computers. He's unemployed, and without a steady paycheck, he can’t afford a computer or WiFi at home.

Instead, he uses his cell phone to go online, but that’s less than ideal, especially for streaming video or larger files.

“With a phone sometimes it’s unreliable … it crashes too. There’s nothing like using an actual computer,” he said.

Gonzalez is one of hundreds of thousands of Los Angeles County residents impacted by what’s known as the “digital divide.” That’s the gap between people who have access to the internet, computers and other digital devices — as well as the technical and online safety skills to use them — and those who don’t.

The divide became more starkly apparent during the pandemic. Those who could moved much of their lives online; many others were shut out.

The issue disproportionately hurts Black and Latino communities, but also the larger digital economy and the future of Southern California as a region.

Digital equity advocates say the internet is essential for modern living and should be treated as a human and civil right — a public utility along with electricity, gas and water.

They're calling it “the issue of the decade.”

The numbers

In L.A County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau:

• 161,000 households lack internet service.
• 114,000 households don’t have computers.
• 300,000 households are considered “underconnected” because they can only access the internet through their cell phone.

The solutions

Digital equity advocates say the gap stems from widespread underinvestment in broadband infrastructure in low-income communities, a practice they call “digital redlining.” To remedy this, there are now several government programs in the works:

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps low-income households get services at a lower rate. 2.8 million Californians were enrolled in the program as of Christmas Day. Its other highlights include:

• Provides a monthly $30 discount on internet services
• Up to $75 per month for households on qualifying tribal lands
• One-time $100 discount to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet

Fill out an online application to see if you’re eligible.

FCC's Lifeline program

The Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline program also gives low-income residents a monthly discount on phone and internet services.

• Provides a $9.25 monthly discount on either cable or wireless services
• Up to $34.25 per month on tribal lands
• You can apply online, by mail or in person
• Learn if you’re eligible here

If you would like an application mailed to you, contact (800) 234-9473 or email LifelineSupport@usac.org. Most residents use California's application process to apply for both the federal and state Lifeline program.

California's Broadband For All

In 2021, the Newsom administration began rolling out its ambitious Broadband for All plan.

• $6 billion state and federal investment 
• More than $3 billion to build a 10,000-mile high-speed backbone network to carry data over long distances throughout the state
• 18 initial projects, including South and Southeast L.A.
• Could bring down internet prices for everyone by increasing competition

Here’s a map of the planned network.

California LifeLine program

The state also has its own LifeLine program to help low-income residents lower the cost of their monthly phone bills.

• You can get a discount on a home phone or a cell phone, but not both
• Up to $19 off your monthly bill, plus a $39 service connection discount
• Only one discount per household

Check if you’re eligible and then contact your service provider. Here’s a list of approved companies that partner with LifeLine.

L.A. County's Delete the Divide

L.A. County's Internal Services Department launched the Delete the Divide initiative in 2021 to reach communities where more than 20% of households lack internet service. Eligible residents get access to free online training courses and IT certificates, as well as job opportunities and tech support.

• 1,800 free laptops were given away in 2023, plus 1,000 devices for veterans
• 7,500 free laptops to be given away in 2024 (details to be released later in the year)

Also in the works — a new "Community Broadband Network" could provide free or low-cost Wi-Fi to about eligible 200,000 households and businesses.

• Will start in South L.A., East L.A. and Boyle Heights
• Service could be available by the end of the year

L.A. city

In 2022. the Digital Equity LA (DELA) coalition partnered with the California Community Foundation to document “troubling pricing practices” by the nation’s largest internet service providers.

The report found a “clear and consistent pattern” of low-income communities being advertised higher prices for slower service than their wealthier neighbors.

Digital discrimination

Advocates are also pushing for the city to adopt a legal definition of “digital discrimination” to hold internet companies accountable for discriminatory practices through a new motion in the city council. If approved, the city would be tasked with analyzing discrimination complaints, including demographic information and reporting annually on any potential trends

(The FCC recently adopted new federal rules to stop broadband providers from discriminating against customers based on race, income and other protected traits. The order defined digital discrimination to include both unequal treatment and disparate effects for protected groups. L.A. is expected to adopt similar language.)

Looking ahead

2024 could be a pivotal year in the fight to close the digital divide, with billions of public dollars on the line. The state is finalizing plans to build its new “middle-mile network,” a mix of construction projects and existing infrastructure, as well as “last-mile” projects to physically bring the internet into unserved homes and businesses.

So far, the state has spent $1.8 billion on various lease, purchase and joint-build agreements with private sector companies, nonprofits and government organizations, according to the nonprofit newsroom CalMatters.