Digital Empowerment and
Broadband Strategy
x
City Council Meeting
Item 7.1
December 16, 2025
Jill Bourne, City Librarian
Ann Grabowski, Deputy Director of Public Services
Abigail Shull, Division Manager, Digital Empowerment & Public Technology Uarporn Nopmongcol, Program Manager, Broadband & Partnerships Consultant Support:
Harrison Phelan, Guidehouse Inc.
2025 Strategy Overview
VISION
Our vision is for all San José residents to be empowered to benefit from and fully participate in the digital economy. Access to the internet, along with the technology and skills to use it safely and effectively, is essential in today’s world. We call this Digital Empowerment.
OVERVIEW
The 2025 Digital Empowerment and Broadband Strategy outlines the City's roadmap for addressing the persistent digital divide, while embracing technological advancement and equitable access. It builds on past successes, with a renewed focus on universal connectivity, affordability, and digital skill-building.
San José positions itself as a national leader in digital empowerment. 1 San José’s Commitment to Digital Empowerment
2016-2017 2018-2019 2020-2021
City develops and
adopts San José’s
first Digital Inclusion
& Broadband
Strategy
Pilots first
Community WiFi
Program
New revenue from
streetlight leases
Establishes the
Digital Inclusion
Fund
First Digital Inclusion
Grants awarded
San José Public
Library launches SJ
Access, distributing
hotspots and
devices, and
expanding digital
skills training
2022-2023
$3+ million
distributed via grant
program
All 8 community Wi-
Fi network areas
completed
City reassesses
current state of
digital divide
Reductions in
funding, new
disparities, and
evolving technology
drive the need for
an updated
Strategy
Updates presented
to City Council for
adoption
2024 - Now
2 3
The 2017 City Council Direction to leverage Public-Private Partnerships has created significant investment and advancement toward closing the digital divide
San José’s Unique Partnership Structure
Fully Market-Driven
No Partnership or
Investment
100% influenced by
private sector
Municipal ISP
City becomes an Internet
Service Provider to ensure
access
Benefits: No $ required
Allows City to focus on
other priorities
Cons: No ability to support
residents or advance
outcomes
Benefits: Intentional and
direct support for resident
access to internet
Cons: Significant capital
and operational $
required; competition
with leading ISPs
Partnership Model
Identify areas of mutual
benefit to spur investment
and increase access to
internet
Benefits: Fully leverages
ISP capital; no City liability
for O&M
Cons: Limited ability to
directly influence
affordability
4 People with lower incomes or education, seniors, and Black and Hispanic/Latino residents are the most affected by the digital divide.
San José’s Digital Divide Demographics
Income Level Age Education Race
73%
15%
12%
31%
27%
42%
21%
Greater than $75,000
Over $35,000 up to $75,000
Less than $35,000
% of SJ
Households
% No Home
Internet
% of SJ
Population
% No
Home
Internet
15% 9%
47%
25% 16% 3% 5% 7%
65%
58%
35%
39%
52% 49%
23% 23% 27%
14% 27%
56%
14% 23% 35%
31% 39% 35%
% No
Computer
% of SJ
Population
% No
Home
Internet
% No
Computer
% of SJ
Population
% No
Home
Internet
% No
Computer
Under 18
Ages 18 to 64
Age 65 and older
Bachelor’s degree or higher
High school, some college,
or 2-year degree
Less than high school
Black
White
Latino/a
Asian
39% 29% 28%
5 Barriers to using the internet continue to be high costs, safety concerns, and restrictive contracts.
San José’s Changing Digital Divide
1 in 8
San José
Households Lack
a Home Internet
Subscription 1 in 19
San José
Households
Access the
Internet by
Smartphone
only
Loss of Federal subsidies affected
nearly 40,000 San José households.
Key Barrier: $84 Monthly Cost for Home Internet (CA Average) Digital Empowerment
6 Since launch, SJ Access has supported 80,000+ residents through digital skills and STEM programs.
Coding and Computer Science
• 18,000+ youth and young adults served
• In-person and virtual
Digital Skill Building
• 15,000 residents served
• 70+ courses in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese
• New introductory AI course
• In-person and virtual
Tech Hubs powered by SJ Access Grants
• Over 5,000 visits at 6 community-centered Tech Hubs
operated by community-based organizations offering
computer labs, classes, internet/device support, bilingual help Resilience Corps Workforce Development
• Pilot cohort of four launched in January 2025
• Industry-recognized coding certifications and IT training
Artificial Intelligence
Taking a comprehensive approach so that no one gets left behind Economic Development
• Nation-leading AI incentive
program
• Plug and Play AI Center of
Excellence in Downtown
Digital Skill-building for Residents
• Over 3,500 residents engaged in
AI 101 and AI 102 classes
• Launched AI for All
• Industry-recognized coding
certifications and IT training
Upskilling for City employees
• Over 50 City staff have
participated in multi-session AI
Upskilling course
• Over 400 City staff have
completed 1-hour Intro to AI
Current Broadband Availability & Speed Options
8 99% availability of 37% availability of FCC Basic Speed of 100/20 Mbps Aspirational Speed of 1000/500 Mbps Community Wi-Fi
9 Digital Inclusion Priority Index identifies areas most in need based on lack of internet access and household income
Outdoor Internet to 200k+ residents
8 neighborhood networks through Public-Public
Partnership with East Side Union High School District
76,800 Monthly Users (Average)
Additional outdoor Wi-Fi available at Civic buildings,
7 community centers, 9 libraries, 8 parks
Community Wi-Fi Network Area
Goals and Objectives
10 GOAL 1.
Close the Digital Divide in San
José Through Digital
Empowerment
GOAL 2.
Ensure Universal Broadband
Availability and Future-Ready
Connectivity
GOAL 3.
Provide Best-in-Class
Broadband Permitting Processes
and Enablement Structures
1. Stabilize programs and funding
2. Increase digital skills, cybersecurity,
and workforce training programs
3. Enhance community tech hubs and
increase engagement
4. Increase skill-building and hiring in
technology and related trades jobs
5. Promote and advocate for internet
and device affordability
GOALSOBJECTIVES
1 2
3 4
5 1. Achieve universal 1 Gigabit service
availability for all residents by 2030
2. Increase the number of service
provider options available so each
household has 2+ choices
3. Improve broadband infrastructure to
ensure long-term resilience
4. Upgrade City broadband
infrastructure
1 2
3 4
1. Streamline City permitting processes
and regulatory alignment
2. Utilize City-owned assets and
leverage existing infrastructure
3. Increase coordination to enable
more efficient planning and
deployment
1 2
3 Staff Recommendation
Accept the status report on the Digital Equity Assessment and recommendations to renew the City’s 2017 Broadband and Digital Inclusion Strategy. Adopt the Digital Empowerment and Broadband Strategy, affirming and continuing the City’s hybrid approach to telecommunications partnerships. Adopt a Resolution to formally incorporate the Federal Communications Commission’s broadband speed definition of 100/20 Mbps and aspirational future speed goal of 1 Gbps/500 Mbps.
Direct staff to implement the Digital Empowerment and Broadband Strategy Work Plan and return to the City Council in 2027 with a status update. 11 Continuing Leadership & Award-Winning Programs
12 DECEMBER 12, 2025
San José is a nationally recognized digital empowerment leader National Digital Inclusion Alliance:
San José awarded Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazer in 2023 and 2024 National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors:
SJ Access awarded 2025 Digital Equity Project of the Year