REGIONAL BROADBAND STUDY

Valley Vision is partnering with our funders, the California Emerging Technology Fund and the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, and many other key organizations, including the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, to investigate opportunities for improving digital access to all corners of our region and to bolster promising e-health initiatives. 

The scoping study was led by Valley Vision from June 1 through September 30, 2009 and identified priorities for a regional broadband action plan. The findings from this study can be found in the final report available on our Publications page.

On Feb. 4, 2009, a policy roundtable was hosted by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) and Valley Vision on behalf of the California Emerging Technology Fund.  The Roundtable was held in partnership with Sacramento State; the Community Services Planning Council; Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization (SACTO); Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce; Sacramento Region Community Foundation; Sacramento Regional Research Institute (SRRI); the Sierra Health Foundation; and the UC Davis Center for Regional Change, and the Information Center for the Environment.   A diverse cross-section of participants attended representing urban, rural and suburban areas and the public, private, educational and philanthropic sectors.  The findings of the Roundtable can be found here.  The Regional Broadband Study was triggered by a call for additional data and action. 

Based on the results of the February Roundtable, the Scoping Study focused on opportunities in three key areas:

• Digital Inclusion –  With a focus especially on urban poor and disadvantaged communities that lack computers and affordable connections to the Internet for relevant applications, and disabled populations that lack technology accessibility;
• Rural Access – Identifying strategies to better link rural and urban areas of the six-county region, addressing infrastructure gaps and bringing the benefits of broadband to rural areas; and
• Enterprise Opportunities – Identifying areas of regional competitive advantage and economic and workforce development emphasis across key industry sectors.

A cross-cutting area of opportunity, addressed in each area of inquiry, is advancing e-Health and telemedicine strategies in coordination with the California Telehealth Network (CTN), a major statewide initiative sponsored by a consortium of stakeholders led by the University of California.

Phase 2:
Valley Vision has submitted a proposal for continuation of the Sacramento Regional Broadband Study (phase 2).  Phase 2 of the project will build on the interest and momentum generated during the Scoping Study, completing the planning for a strategic action plan. The plan will address three areas: rural access, digital inclusion and e-Health. The primary emphasis will be on rural access which currently has a “poverty of action.”  The project will provide support to develop a work group and design an action plan focusing on infrastructure deployment and access for rural regions.  It will offer support for and participation in existing and emerging e-health and digital inclusion activities, providing coordination and connection across the three areas of focus.

Contact:
For more information, please contact Tara Thronson at (916) 325-1630 or tara.thronson@valleyvision.org