San Mateo County

Rural Broadband Grant Application

Many communities lack access to reliable, high-speed internet; often settling for slow, unreliable connections. Some areas have no access to the internet at all due to challenging terrain or long-standing socio-economic barriers. San Mateo County sought out the technology and engineering consultancy talent of M S Benbow & Associates (MSB) and Kaizen Technology Partners for a solution to the problems created by this digital divide. Together the companies completed a rural broadband grant application to tap into new funding opportunities. They designed a robust solution to reduce educational inequity, fortify businesses’ ability to flourish, and bring the opportunities of the world to each neighbors’ doorstep.

MSB and Kaizen Technology collaborated with county planners to design a high-tech rural broadband grant application package to fund infrastructure for residential areas, a community center, and drive-up internet cafés serving as Wi-Fi hotspots.

Engineering Solutions to Bridge the Digital Divide

Municipalities need professional guidance and expertise to seek out resources and technology to create a pathway to ensuring wireless connectivity to communities both remote and rural and urban yet isolated. Causes contributing to a lack of internet access vary by community and require diverse solutions.

MSB’s rural broadband grant application services included technical engineering, wireless network conceptual design, planning, vendor coordination, and hardware selection to meet the grant requirements. The network solution incorporates a combination of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites for internet backhaul and last mile broadcasts utilizing CBRS and Wi-Fi frequency spectra.

“Our client’s grant application required a solution design and schematic from a licensed engineer. MSB’s experience designing internet access solutions for hard-to-reach areas was a key selling point. The team at MSB was collaborative and responsive to the requirements and tight deadlines. We look forward to working with them on more projects in the future.”

– Dao Jensen, CEO Kaizen Technology Partners

The deployment of this broadband solution will ensure reliable, high speed internet connectivity for residents in the mostly rough, mountainous terrain of San Mateo County. In this economically challenged area, the network will establish a lifeline for public safety communications and serve as a catalyst for economic opportunity by facilitating civic engagement, furthering educational attainment and creating jobs.