Santa Clara County leaders struggle to improve internet in underserved areas

County officials want to provide broadband internet service in underserved neighborhoods, contrary to a long-awaited report that dismisses the idea.

The digital equity study, which they commissioned two years ago, warned the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors against the steep cost of building an underground fiber network and instead suggested partnering with the private sector. That failed to impress supervisors on Tuesday last week, aligning with residents who said the study ignored neglected households without web access. Supervisors unanimously voted to send the report back to the drawing board and come back in 60 days with a cost and timeline — signaling a willingness to take on the heavy lift of managing an internet utility.