California High-Speed Rail, CENIC team for broadband access expansion
The California High-Speed Rail Authority and the Corporation for Education Networking Initiatives in California (CENIC) have agreed to team to expand availability and access to high-speed broadband through the state. The partners plan to create a high-speed broadband network as part of the high-speed rail system corridor that will connect with CENIC's statewide research and education network as well as to other public and private sector broadband networks.
The Authority is responsible for constructing by 2029 a high-speed rail system that will run from San Francisco to the Los Angeles Basin, with follow on extensions to Sacramento and San Diego. The partners plan to install a high-capacity broadband network as part of the rail line creation.
The partnership is particularly interested in improving service availability to low-income and rural citizens. To this end, the Authority and CENIC say they will create a plan that will include network design, deployment, economics, operation, and management of the network infrastructure. They will seek to engage parties from private, public, and governmental sectors in the planning process as well.
"This new network will provide needed connectivity for communities located near the high-speed rail system starting in the Central Valley," said Authority CEO Jeff Morales. "This partnership and new network will advance economic development and public benefit, while generating ancillary revenue for the high-speed rail program."
"This strategic undertaking of the High-Speed Rail Program and CENIC is critical to California's continued advancement in all realms of innovation," added Louis Fox, president and CEO of CENIC. "Our future relies on the engagement of all Californians in the digital economy and this project will provide them with the necessary infrastructure that positions California for a prosperous future."
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