Broadband Strategic Master Plan (PDF)
What is Broadband?
Broadband is the transmission of wide bandwidth data over a high-speed internet connection. This data can include streaming HD videos, gaming, downloading large files, streaming music, web surfing, and video conferencing.
According to the FCC, the definition of broadband internet is a minimum of 25 Mbps (Megabits per second) download and 3 Mbps upload speeds (described as 25/3). Broadband provides high speed internet access via multiple types of technologies including fiber optics, wireless, cable, DSL, and satellite.
Who Provides Broadband in the County?
There is a lack of competition among internet service providers (ISPs), with a significant portion of the county limited to only one option for a service provider. AT&T and Comcast are the dominant providers in the county, although there are many other smaller players in the market. Charter Communications offers cable service; Cruzio, Surfnet, Etheric, and T-Mobile offer fixed wireless services. There are a few providers that offer business services, but only in small areas of the county.
County Broadband Strategic Master Plan
In late 2022 the County commissioned the creation of Broadband Strategic Master Plan to guide the design, construction, implementation, maintenance, regulation, and funding of its fiber optics, wireless, and related broadband technologies.
Data Sources
The Plan drew upon many sources of information including:
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC),
- California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
- Internet service providers (ISPs)
- Public Surveys for residents and businesses
- County business meetings
- Government and Educational partners
- Online Speed Test
As part of the data gathering efforts, mail and online surveys were conducted to get feedback from residents. The survey captured information about their home internet service, service providers, the price they pay for service, their opinions on areas of improvement of service, enrollment in subsidy or discount programs, their device usage, and computer and internet skills.
Survey Responses – Most important service aspects that need improvement by ISP
Key Findings
Of the 80,061 addresses in the county, about 4.6 percent are unserved at less than 25/3. About 95.4 percent are served at 100 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload (100/20). A network design and cost analysis show that building fiber to households and businesses with current speeds of less than 100/20 would cost $297 million.
Broadband Coverage at 100/20 – one dot = 3 severed locations
About 72 percent of the county (both households and businesses) do not have access to 100/100 Mbps speeds using fiber technologies. The analysis showed that a significant investment of $537 million would be required to build a FTTP network to reach all locations not currently served by 100/100 speeds.
Recommended Next Steps
The County should analyze potential partnerships and grants for investments in the development of comprehensive broadband expansion programs.
The County should provide letters of support on provider grant applications, clear barriers to permitting, streamline inspections processes, document, and share County processes and assets, provide access to assets for placement of wireless facilities and negotiate lease agreements for county-owned dark fiber.
The County should continue to engage closely with both City governments and higher education institutions regarding infrastructure upgrades, particularly as they pertain to public safety issues and emergency communications.
The County should encourage competition among ISPs to help improve high-speed internet service reliability in the long term.
The County should consider facilitating conversations across relevant County departments to better understand existing permitting processes for the deployment of broadband technology and develop guidelines for streamlining these processes.
Active Grants
CASF Grants:
- Cruzio Equal Access Summit to Sea for $5,650,000 was approved by CPUC on Feb. 15. Includes focus on areas currently <25/3 for Broadband in San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and Monterey Counties.
- Surfnet Four County Fiber project for $11.8 million would provide last mile fiber at Bear Creek, Zayante, and Empire Grade (pending approval).
FFA Grants
- Surfnet has applied for three fiber projects in the county rural areas totaling $4 million.
- AT&T has submitted five applications for projects in the county totaling over $34 million on coastal fiber build outs.
Learn More about Grants