Valley gets $46M to improve Internet access
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Perusing this and other websites should get easier for some Kern County residents.
The Central Valley has been awarded more than $46 million in federal funds to enhance broadband Internet quality and access, Congressman Jim Costa's office announced Wednesday.
Internet and broadband use have increased in all regions of California except for the Valley, where 49 percent of households cannot access high-speed service, according to a June 2009 report by the Public Policy Institute of California.
This money, made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is intended to increase high-speed Internet access to more than 1.5 million residents, 160,000 businesses, seven public safety entities, 19 county offices of education that serve more than 1,800 schools, 20 libraries, 14 community colleges and the three state university campuses, including California State University, Bakersfield.
The project, which is being administered by Central Valley Independent Network LLC, will deploy a 1,371-mile fiber backbone through 18 counties. It will also bring 12 new wireless nodes to deploy WiMax last-mile service to the rural portions of Kern, Fresno, Tulare and Kings counties.
"Investing in our broadband infrastructure is an investment in the future of our region," said Costa, D-Fresno, in a news release. "Improving Internet access will create new education opportunities for our students and will make Valley businesses and industries more competitive."
No time frame for full deployment was announced.
