San Jose Rules Committee Recommends $8.4M Digital Infrastructure Plan for East Side Neighborhoods

SAN JOSE, CA — The San Jose Rules and Open Government Committee approved recommendations Wednesday evening forwarding an $8.4 million public-private digital infrastructure package to the full City Council for implementation across East San Jose and the Alum Rock corridor.

Digital Equity Framework and Fiber Infrastructure

The initiative combines $4.2 million in municipal capital funds with matching state broadband grants to expand municipal dark fiber networks and install high-speed wireless access points across 14 community centers, public libraries, and school district perimeters. The deployment aims to connect an estimated 35,000 households currently lacking reliable gigabit internet access.

The plan also establishes subsidized municipal device lending libraries operated through the San Jose Public Library system.

Committee Review and Community Impact

Council members praised the plan for targeting digital divide disparities that have persisted in working-class neighborhoods. Education leaders from the East Side Union High School District emphasized that dependable home broadband access is essential for student academic achievement and family civic participation.

The committee directed city staff to include localized workforce training partnerships, ensuring local telecommunication technicians are hired for fiber trenching and equipment installation.

Full Council Hearing and Deployment Schedule

The full San Jose City Council will vote on final contract authorizations on August 25, 2026, with phase-one network construction commencing in October.