California officials, broadband industry leaders express high hopes for federal broadband stimulus program

At an open meeting hosted last week by Infinera at its Sunnyvale headquarters, California state officials and leaders from the broadband industry expressed high hopes that the federal broadband stimulus program would have a significant impact on broadband availability and the industry in the months ahead.

Joe Camicia, chief of staff for California's Chief Information Officer, and a member of Governor Schwarzenegger's Broadband Task Force, praised the award of $7.5 million to LA CAN for an upgrade of 188 public computer centers in low income areas of Los Angeles. "Today, people are waiting in lines at public libraries to use computers so they can apply online for jobs," Camicia said. "This is an example of how federal dollars will help individuals tremendously." He added that California has won only two federal awards so far, and that he hopes to see California win some 10% of the total funding that will be disbursed. "We are eagerly awaiting more announcements," he said...