Oakland Named One of Nation’s 2025 Digital Inclusion Trailblazers
Published on January 16, 2026
Digital inclusion – access to affordable high-speed internet, devices, and digital skills training – is essential to full participation in modern civic, economic, and educational life. Oakland’s collective approach to advancing digital access focuses on removing barriers that have kept communities disconnected and ensuring all Oaklanders are included in the systems that shape modern life.
"When we talk about building an Oakland that works for everyone, we mean the basics - and in 2025, internet access is a basic. By moving government at the speed of innovation and partnering with City teams, the State, community organizations, and anchor institutions, we’re expanding access to connectivity and opportunity for our residents,"said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. "Oakland is on the move - and that means no one gets left behind."
“This recognition reflects years of coordinated work across City departments and with our community partners to treat connectivity as essential infrastructure,” said Tony Batalla, Chief Information Officer for the City of Oakland. “Our focus has been on building systems that last by aligning policy, infrastructure, and partnerships so access, affordability, and digital skills move forward together in the neighborhoods that have historically been excluded.”
This year, the City of Oakland joins 58 other Digital Inclusion Trailblazers paving the way for digitally inclusive communities across the US.
“Nonprofits, libraries, churches, and other community organizations can’t reach digital equity on their own. For everyone to thrive in today’s digital world, we need all hands on deck,” said Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director. “NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazer program exemplifies the key role of local governments in building digital opportunities for all of their residents.”
“At Oakland Housing Authority, we made a deliberate decision to treat internet access as a basic service,” said Patricia Wells, Executive Director of the Oakland Housing Authority. “Through our Free WiFi initiative, and in partnership with the City’s Oakland Connect project, we’re helping ensure residents have reliable connectivity to access education, employment, healthcare, and essential services – today and over the long term.”
Trailblazers provide models for other local governments as communities build digital inclusion ecosystems. Oakland’s approach demonstrates how digital access can be built into how the City delivers opportunity.
This year, the City of Oakland joins 58 other Digital Inclusion Trailblazers paving the way for digitally inclusive communities across the US.
Oakland achieved Trailblazer status through actions that include:
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Securing major State broadband infrastructure investments, including a $15 million Last Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant to deliver free WiFi to approximately 2,500 affordable housing units and State middle-mile investments connecting Oakland to California’s open-access backbone
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Participating in regional digital inclusion efforts, including a $12M Digital Equity Competitive Grant awarded to a Bay Area coalition to expand digital skills training, device access, and technical support services.
The Trailblazer program identifies best practices across seven categories identifies seven categories of current best practices. Each applicant’s materials are verified for accuracy, assessed for community impact, and posted in an interactive map and searchable database on NDIA’s website. By sharing materials with open-sourcing, NDIA provides community advocates and local governments ways to continue learning, connect with trailblazing peers, and plan their own digital inclusion solutions.
About the City of Oakland’s Digital Inclusion Team: Oakland’s digital inclusion efforts are grounded in sustained collaboration across City departments and long-standing partnerships with housing providers, educational institutions, libraries, and community organizations. This coordinated approach focuses on embedding connectivity into public systems and ensuring residents have meaningful, affordable access to the digital tools required to participate fully in today’s world.
About National Digital Inclusion Alliance: NDIA advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act. Working collaboratively with over 2000 affiliates, NDIA advocates for equitable broadband access, tech devices, digital skills training, and tech support. For more information, visit digitalinclusion.org.