Board of Supervisors receives update from Golden State Connect on progress toward reliable, affordable internet for Sonoma County

Construction of a broadband system for rural residents in California could begin by the end of the year, according to Golden State Connect, a regional Joint Powers Authority established to increase access to high-speed internet for residents and businesses in unincorporated areas of Sonoma County and 38 other rural member counties.

The broadband system would lower the cost for internet service providers to enter the market and be able to offer affordable internet service to residents in unincorporated areas, according to a report presented to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today.

Golden State Connect Authority is governed by elected officials from member counties and aims to finance and construct open-access public broadband infrastructure using state and federal funding, including from California Senate Bill 156, the American Rescue Plan Act, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

“Unincorporated areas of Sonoma County have long experienced limited broadband availability and that’s a major concern and priority for our board,” said Chris Coursey, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “In today’s world, we need reliable internet to carry out the demands of life and business. That’s why our board allocated funding to support broadband initiatives, including broadband legislation at the state and federal levels. We’ll continue to fight for equitable, affordable broadband in Sonoma County.”

In 2022, the County of Sonoma received a $500,000 Local Agency Technical Assistance grant from the California Public Utilities Commission, which is being used to support Golden State Connect Authority in completing a high-level broadband network design for unincorporated areas with little or no internet service, and a low-level, construction-ready design for priority areas determined with input from the Board of Supervisors.

Upon completion of the high-level design, the Board of Supervisors will have more information to inform a conversation on the optimal broadband delivery model for Sonoma County, which may include a partnership with Golden State Connect Authority and supporting private internet service providers that apply for state funding to build in areas with little to no internet service.

Sonoma County joined Golden State Connect Authority in 2021 consistent with the Resilient Infrastructure pillar of its Five-Year Strategic Plan to leverage existing fiber optic infrastructure and expand community access to wireless and broadband in Sonoma County.

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board and Sonoma County Library recently announced a public information campaign to improve the accuracy of internet service data according to the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Map:  
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/economic-development-board-sonoma-county-library-seek-public-input-on-improving-local-broadband-coverage-map

While the official challenge period has ended, the Federal Communications Commission has committed to considering all availability challenges, no matter when they are submitted.

All related board materials from today’s meeting, including the presentation by Golden State Connect Authority, are available at: 
https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6009129&GUID=0718EE8A-5091- 49D0-BBCB-3173CC7DE63C

For more information about the Access Sonoma Broadband Action Plan, please visit: https://sonomaedb.org/current-initiatives/broadband.

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Media Contact: 
Dan Virkstis, Communications Specialist
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org
(707) 565-3040