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The California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), in partnership with the Humboldt Area Foundation (HAF), the Northern California SBDC Network, Humboldt State University (HSU) and Redwood Coast Rural Action (RCRA), recognizes that a successful approach to broadband deployment is much more complicated than just assuring that the requisite infrastructure is made available. In order to ensure a comprehensive and successful deployment, five things (5 A's) must be considered: Access, Applications, Affordability, Accessibility and Assistance.

The geographic focus of this project is the redwood coast region and includes Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt and Mendocino counties. These four counties form a well-defined natural region, blessed with world-class natural wonders and sharing a remote and isolated rural geography.

The long-term goal of the project, of which this is the first phase, is to make available ubiquitous broadband to all rural communities in the region through the aggregation of users, engagement of providers, simplification of county and municipal policies and tapping the ingenuity of entrepreneurs in the region. This planning phase will set the strategies, actions and desired specific outcomes that will help define the next step of implementation.

The California Broadband Demand Aggregation Pilot Project will develop and demonstrate a model that can be used as a template to increase broadband for all of California's rural regions. This planning phase will provide a benchmark of current regional readiness to participate in the changes that high-speed communications entail. Such readiness assessment is critical to addressing a viable plan for broadband deployment.

This project will have a positive impact on the entire region by demonstrating business scenarios for broadband infrastructure investment. Increased broadband accessibility will increase California Broadband Demand Aggregation Pilot Project opportunities for business development, jobs, and access to quality health care and educational opportunities.