MBEP’s latest white paper, “Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in California’s Central Coast,” explores the implications of significant advancements in wireless communication technology and offers recommendations for improved wireless connectivity in California's Central Coast.Read the white paper and an executive summary here.
While the evolving technological and regulatory landscape surrounding Citizens Broadband Radio Service holds promise for improving connectivity on the Central Coast, the region’s unique characteristics pose clear challenges to its application as a reliable source of communications technology, including service and reliability disruptions, possible unexpected shutdowns and possible performance issues caused by limited channel availability within specific areas.
The use of CBRS in the Central Coast region offers opportunities for enhanced wireless connectivity to unserved/underserved residents, and can potentially leverage innovations in spectrum sharing. However, CBRS also requires careful consideration of the region's unique challenges. Proposed changes could make CBRS technology a workable choice for delivering broadband to unserved/underserved residents. MBEP recommendations specific actions that local governments or their ISP partners could take to mitigate some of those issues, but for the time being, MBEP recommends against the adoption of CBRS as a reliable solution for rural and underserved areas. Continued collaboration between regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders, and technology providers will be needed to make CBRS viable for the Central Coast region.
MBEP’s previous white paper, State of Broadband in the Monterey Bay Region, addresses the current state of broadband and digital equity in the region, with recommendations for improving infrastructure, access, and affordability through a flexible, adaptable approach to regional needs — adopting a hybrid broadband model to address the complex needs across the region — rather than from a “one size fits all" approach. Investing in broadband infrastructure, fostering public-private partnerships, and expanding last-mile connectivity are essential steps toward closing the Digital Divide.
About Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP): Monterey Bay Economic Partnership is a regional member-supported nonprofit organization consisting of public, private, and civic entities located throughout Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties. Founded in 2015, our mission is to improve the economic health and quality of life in the region.
