Broadband deployment in rural California is one of the most critical missing infrastructure components stymieing unserved and underserved communities from participating in the 21st Century Economy. This absence puts life and safety at risk during emergency situations, places students behind their urban and suburban peers, as well as adds significant costs and barriers to access quality healthcare and other public services. The deployment of new telecommunications technology in rural and remote areas of California and the equitable regulatory treatment of all forms of telecommunications services is a high priority for RCRC.
RCRC supports creating equal access to robust and reliable telecommunication services for all Californians. We also seek to ensure that public funding for broadband infrastructure is allocated in a manner that provides high-quality connectivity to all households in the state, prioritizing high-cost areas that require subsidization for deployment. Through engagement at the California Public Utilities Commission, state legislature and applicable federal regulatory agencies, RCRC advocates for municipal broadband funding, increased telecommunication reliability oversight and protection of local government facility siting authority.