T-Mobile, Sprint Commit to Digital Inclusion, 5G in California Review

The California Emerging Technology Fund supported T-Mobile buying Sprint after reaching agreement on commitments, they said in docket A18-07-011. CETF and T-Mobile would partner post-deal to close the digital divide, promote digital inclusion and expand wireless broadband including in rural and remote areas, Monday's motion said. T-Mobile will provide federal Lifeline and California LifeLine services “indefinitely in California to both current and new LifeLine eligible customers for free (along with free handsets),” guaranteeing it “through the end of 2024 at a minimum,” it said. Within five years, the new carrier will add 332,500 new low-income households by spending at least $1 million a year, and add 52,000 low-income California families with children by providing $13.5 million for schools. T-Mobile would provide $4.5 million to community organizations, schools and libraries for digital literacy training for up to 75,000 new low-income households, $5 million for CETF grants to local governments for digital inclusion and $13 million to fund CETF operations. The combining firms committed to deploying 5G to 90 percent of California cellsites specified in T-Mobile’s network plan by 2025, prioritizing upgrades in 10 unserved and underserved areas selected by the company in consultation with CETF and the Rural Regional Consortia, it said. The carriers would expand by 50 percent cells on wheels and cells on light trucks they have for emergencies by 2021. The companies made 5G commitments last week in Hawaii (see 1904040005).