Broadband for All? Gaps in California’s Broadband Adoption and Availability
Jed Kolko
July 2007
California has consistently led the rest of the country in the average
number of households with access to the high-speed Internet connection
known as broadband. Yet within the state broadband availability and
adoption vary dramatically. Some rural areas have no access at all. In
others, households cannot afford it. Recognizing the advantages more
broadband could bring to its citizenry and its economies, local and
state government agencies have initiated a number of programs to
increase availability and adoption. Using new data and techniques, this
issue of California Economic Policy examines the current broadband
landscape and the potential effects and deficiencies of these new
initiatives.