Purpose, Shared Commitments, and Affiliations

Fresno Coalition for Digital Inclusion (FCDI) is an ongoing, cross-sector collaborative working to improve digital inclusion for and with the digitally underserved within Fresno County. Digital Inclusion includes affordable, quality internet access,working devices and apps, responsive supports, and the know-why and know-how to successfully navigate digital services like healthcare, employment, learning, etc. This collaborative represents interests across the region committed to improving 1) equitable access to affordable wireless internet services and high-quality broadband, 2) made possible as necessary by a) shared and/or open-access middle mile 1, b) sustainable last mile 2 solutions that fit local context, and 3) digital literacy and supports so people can access digital services. FCDI leverages existing cross-sector, community infrastructure influencing deployment of public funding and driving measurable improvement on community outcomes. FCDI is affiliated with the San Joaquin Valley Regional Broadband Consortium whose mandate is broadband adoption, funding sources include CASF, operated by OCED at Fresno State, and serving the eight-county region within the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley. FCDI is aligned to the values of and affiliated with Cradle to Career for purposes of data gathering, performance reporting, and communications.

Problem/Opportunity Statement

The pandemic revealed areas throughout Fresno County, both rural and urban, where people were underserved with access to affordable, quality internet services. Data shows there is less infrastructure like cell towers in areas with higher poverty and/or less dense populations. Adoption of high-speed broadband is not universal given price, sign-up process, and/or availability. In 2020, we learned the regulatory environment and carrier/provider business models will not bring adequate internet access to areas of high poverty 3; therefore, community anchor institutions (CAIs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) must collaborate to solve for internet access for and with the underserved.

There are several dimensions to this work:

  1. The Personal Level includes
    • Internet access throughout a person’s daily journey including cellular or Wi-Fi internet services.
    • Working devices and usable, useful apps and accessible websites.
    • Digital literacy as the know-why and know-how to use digital tools,safely and securely.
    • Targeted supports for internet access, device and app issues, and the use of digital services.
  2. The Household Level includes affordable, quality broadband for the household.
  3. The Community Level includes internet access in community centers and anchor institutions’ facilities as well as constituents’ understandings about services, resources, supports, and advocacy.
  4. The Systems Level includes
    • Infrastructure like shared open-access middle mile and supports for various last-mile use cases.
    • Mapping of existing and planned infrastructure, buildings, etc.

1 “Middle mile” is technology like fiber or radio used to transport internet along digital paths to “last mile”.
2 “Last mile” is technology like LTE cellular data or wireline broadband that connect customers to internet services.
3 This assertion is based on data, constituents’ experiences, guidance from California Public Utilities Commission.

  • Data on quality of internet connections so, where access is below the level of quality, there can be efforts to target investmentsand advocate for improved services.
  • Improvements to public policiesand practices.

Improving Digital Inclusion for all of our constituents requires addressing each of these dimensions. FCDI members are committed to realizing such improvements both individually and together in collaboration. Each household often includes all of our … and each of our … greatest assets.

Focus and Scope

It’s important to set boundaries on what we will do and guidance on how we do it. The scope is identified in the shared commitments above. The focus includes:

  1. Bring equity lens to internet access requiring suitable last mile services for the underserved.
  2. Create a repository of comprehensive and accurate data on existing and planned middle mile infrastructure and last mile services as well as information about underserved constituents.
  3. Influence public decisions and deployment of one-time and ongoing resources to support wise use of resources and drive equitable improvements to internet access and digital inclusion.
  4. Create network for organizations to share assets and resources for mutual benefit of constituents.
  5. Build local capacity to deliver targeted supports, cultivate digital literacy and advocacy.
  6. Connect and influence external agencies and inform partners on policy, legislation, and funding.

Building skills for a digital world remains the domain of education and workforce development. The geographic reach may expand and collaboration with other regionsis encouraged. Broadband for business is not in scope but may be positively affected through improved local infrastructure.

Guiding Principles and Strategies

These principles emerged from conversations both local and with other coalitions and organizations.

  • Affordable internet access and high-speed broadband is a basic necessity.
  • The Internet is nonpartisan-equitable access to digital opportunities improves regional vitality.
  • Affordable, high-speed internet access requires shared community commitments.
  • Meaningful competition for internet services drives regional economic gains.

Below are some strategies emerging from our shared work:

  1. Leverage minimum viable solutions and available funding to improve access to wireless internet services and wireline broadband. The underserved cannot wait for elegant and perfect solutions.
  2. Engage partners and build / maintain, where necessary, last mile solutions that fit the local context – last mile solutions include affordable wireless internet and high-quality wireline broadband.
  3. Build, where necessary, and share where possible open-access middle mile infrastructure (like sharing fiber to transport internet from one region to the next until it reaches a neighborhood.)
  4. Leverage and share infrastructure including towers, vaults, conduits, buildings, poles, etc.
  5. Implement innovative policies and incentives to increase competition, capacity and coverage; and reduce barriers to adoption (like pre-built pathways for broadband hookups in MDUs)
  6. Connect Fresno efforts with initiatives beyond Fresno including influencers and funding sources.
  7. Define minimum download, upload standards for broadband and RF/cellular internet access.
  8. Gather internet quality data to map coverage and performance; data may be shared within larger mapping efforts as long as proprietary information remains private.
  9. Map table partners’ existing and planned infrastructure and assets; as well as communities’ needs.
  10. Target and tailor support services to their respective constituents while also building local capacity.
  11. Improve digital literacy, the know-why and know-how, so people can access digital services.

Challenges and Concerns

  • Ability to change common notion of broadband as a discretionary choice to internet access as a necessity. Basic internet service doesn’t fit existing regulatory framework or carrier business models.
  • Level of anchor institutions’willingness to commit to sharing of infrastructure and assets; and changing policies to better support equitable internet access.
  • Incumbents’ desire to protect investments; yet profit-driven business models are often subsidized.

Governance

Partners and Structures

  • Leadership Team: monitors, prioritizes and coordinates initiatives and workstreams guided by focus
  • Table Partners: participate in learning and networking; update FCDI on needs, services,outcomes
  • External Partners: infrastructure or service providers; collaborate to improve access for underserved
  • Ad-Hoc Groups: formed to tackle specific needs

Workstreams

  • Planning, design, investment and sharing of Infrastructure: facilitated by Fresno County (Bryan B.)
  • Mapping existing/planned Infrastructure; underserved communities: facilitated by Fresno County (Bryan B.)
  • Data gathering, defining standards, determining accountability metrics: facilitated by C2C (Amber J.)
  • Coordinate communications with community: facilitated by C2C (C. Christenson)
  • Research and sharing of updates on funding, legislation, and policy: facilitated by OCED (E. Gonzalez)
  • Digital literacy, support and advocacy: facilitated by C2C (M. Espinoza)

Cooperative Agreements

  • Data sharing amongst partners preferably using MOU to address care of data
  • Data and asset sharing agreement between anchor institutions using E-Gov agreement

Decision Making Principles

  • The initial decision-making model will use consensus with conflicted parties removing themselves from the decision process.