PLAN TO DEPLOY GIGABIT BROADBAND NETWORK ACROSS LOS ANGELES, INCLUDING FREE WIRELESS ACCESS, SET TO CROSS MAJOR MILESTONE

City Council to Vote on CityLinkLA Request for Participants

LOS ANGELES – CityLinkLA, the city-led initiative to bring world-class, high-speed Internet access to all residents and businesses in the City of Los Angeles, will cross a major milestone as the Council votes to release a Request for Participants (RFP) to identify one or more providers to commit to deploying advanced communications networks citywide. The RFP calls for completion within five years of networks that will provide symmetrical one gigabit download/upload speeds or more to all residences and businesses and provide free wireless. Initiative leaders and supporters will host a media briefing via conference call to deliver the details of the RFP following the City Council vote.

WHAT:

Media briefing via conference call

WHERE:

Conference line: 1-415-655-0003

Access code: 292 730 683

WHEN:

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Noon – 12:30 p.m. PT

WHO:

Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield

Peter Marx, Chief Technology Officer, City of Los Angeles

Ted Ross, Interim General Manager, Information Technology Agency

WHY:

In today’s digital age, access to the Internet is a necessity, not a luxury. Yet as many as 30 percent of City of Los Angeles residents do not have access to broadband or cannot afford it while many businesses and residents pay higher prices for slower speeds when compared to other global cities.

Universal access to high-speed Internet is essential to the City’s future, and will drive Los Angeles’ entertainment, tech and entrepreneurial activity into the economy of the future. In addition, bridging the digital divide with free wireless service will be invaluable to preparing Los Angeles for the 21st century, ultimately ensuring a smarter, more connected, more livable and safer Los Angeles.

RSVP:

To confirm attendance of the conference call, please email [email protected]