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.
