WeLink Will Deliver New Digital Infrastructure and Best-In-Class Internet Connectivity to South Los Angeles and East Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
Los Angeles, California – WeLink Communications, Inc. (WeLink), the trailblazing provider of ultrafast, affordable internet, announces a landmark partnership with Los Angeles County (LA County) aimed at revolutionizing access to broadband for over one million Angelenos and thousands of local small businesses. LA County is providing $45 million through the federal American Rescue Plan Act, which will be combined with WeLink’s own private capital. This collaboration is a milestone in deleting the digital divide and ensuring equity in an increasingly digital society.
WeLink was selected by Los Angeles County through a highly competitive multi-stage process to serve as its inaugural partner for the County’s Community Broadband Networks initiative. Devised to help address the hundreds of thousands of households in the County without home internet service, this is a bold new approach that will benefit Angelenos and serve as a model for other communities to follow.
“Stark inequity has persisted for too long in American cities. It is inspiring to now see Los Angeles County and WeLink coming together to close this aspect of the digital divide,” said Van Jones, CNN Host and Dream Machine Innovation Lab Founder. “Their fresh new approach promises to help hundreds of thousands of Angelenos. This is what hope looks like.”
WeLink is known for its breakthrough mmWave wireless technology, which extends the reach of gigabit internet at a fraction of the cost and time per home passed compared to traditional fiber optic deployments—all while delivering fiber-class performance. WeLink offers lightning-fast internet speeds ranging from 500 megabits per second (Mbps) symmetrical to 2 gigabits per second (Gbps) symmetrical—up to 20 times faster download speed and up to 100 times faster upload speed than the new Federal Communications Commission broadband benchmark. WeLink’s ultrafast internet service will transform the way Angeleno households experience the internet.
“It’s a point of pride for Microsoft that our partner, WeLink, has been chosen by Los Angeles County to provide high-speed, affordable connectivity to those who need it most,” said Vickie Robinson, General Manager of Microsoft’s Airband Initiative. “We are eager to support the Community Broadband Initiative, as we collectively harness the power of connectivity to unlock educational, healthcare, and economic opportunities, paving the way for a future that’s inclusive and just for all.”
Over the course of the multi-year agreement, WeLink will quickly build the new digital infrastructure needed to deliver internet service that puts historically under-resourced communities on par with some of the nation’s wealthiest. Construction is expected to begin in Summer 2024, with internet service rolling out beginning in Fall 2024.
“Internet is as essential in the 21st century as electricity was in the 20th,” said John Paul Farmer, President of WeLink Cities. “Yet too many families—and even entire communities—still lack home internet service that is fast, reliable, and affordable. Every kid deserves a great education, no matter their zip code. And every family deserves economic opportunity, no matter their bank account. Los Angeles County has made the bold decision to change the status quo and we’re proud that they’ve selected WeLink to be their partner in building a better, faster, fairer internet.”
WeLink’s transparent and affordable pricing will further ensure that no household is left on the wrong side of the digital divide. Subscribers can choose between service plans priced at $65, $75, and $85 monthly. Qualified low-income households in the service area will receive a $40 discount off the same best-in-class speeds and performance, for service plans as low as $25 per month. Every WeLink subscription also includes unlimited data, a high-performance Wi-Fi router, and professional installation and setup at no cost.
“WeLink is a new kind of internet company,” said Luke Langford, CEO of WeLink. “We’ve replaced promotional pricing with simplicity and an uneven playing field with fairness. Our subscribers rely on our ultrafast speeds to do their homework, connect with family, and even access healthcare and other critical resources. We take our job seriously because we know that WeLink internet is foundational for modern life. We are embracing this partnership with Los Angeles County so that more Angelenos can fully participate in the incredible benefits the internet has to offer.”
WeLink and LA County’s partnership will focus on connecting South LA and East LA & Boyle Heights, which are vibrant and diverse communities that have long faced systemic barriers to digital access. The service areas span 68 miles and are home to over 275,000 households, with the vast majority of the population identifying as a racial or ethnic minority. South LA has been shaped by its history of predominantly Black neighborhoods, while East LA communities are majority Latino. WeLink will collaborate with community-based organizations—and the numerous local partners in their networks—to maximize impact in these communities.
“Standard internet business models have not worked for historically marginalized communities,” said Brian Vo, Chief Investment Officer of Connect Humanity. “We believe new partnership and investment models are needed to make meaningful progress in closing the digital divide. We are excited to see LA County and WeLink partner to bring both high quality AND affordable internet to South and East LA. We hope other communities take note: there needs not be a trade- off between reaching underserved communities and affordability.”
The partnership will focus on bringing connectivity to households that stand to gain the most from an affordable, reliable, ultra-high speed internet connection: lower income households, English-language learners, older adults, people with disabilities, and students and their families, among others. This partnership aims to connect the tens of thousands of South LA and East LA households that currently do not have a home broadband subscription today, and to lower prices and improve speeds for everyone.
“EveryoneOn was founded to create a more just and prosperous future by ensuring that everyone can harness the transformative power of the internet. From kids to older adults and from church groups to small businesses—everyone benefits when high-speed broadband is present and affordable,” said Norma E. Fernandez, CEO of EveryoneOn. “Now, LA County is teaming up with the pioneering internet company WeLink to ensure the people of South LA and East LA & Boyle Heights have what they need to thrive today and tomorrow. EveryoneOn looks forward to working with the County and WeLink to connect these communities with new opportunities and fuel hope and innovation.”
Los Angeles County officials are highly supportive of the selection of WeLink for the Community Broadband Networks:
“In 2021, I introduced a motion directing Los Angeles County to explore viable options for reliable broadband in our communities impacted by the digital divide,” said First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “Today, I am thrilled to see the upcoming launch of the Community Broadband Networks, a program in which the County will partner with private internet companies to pilot residential internet services in target communities. In the district I represent, East L.A., Boyle Heights, and Eastside neighborhoods will be the first to participate in the County’s program. Broadband is essential in today’s world, yet there are severe inequities in the availability, reliability, and cost of the internet that will continue to cause disproportionate harm if we do not act. We can’t wait for years or decades to achieve digital equity – we must accelerate our efforts now, with solutions like this public-private partnership. I am also very pleased that the community outreach and support services for the Community Broadband Networks will be provided in multiple languages to reflect Los Angeles County’s vibrant, diverse communities.”
“Today, we reaffirm L.A. County’s commitment to ending the digital divide by bringing a truly affordable, world-class broadband option to communities in South LA that have long experienced limited or no internet access,” said Second District Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “The COVID-19 pandemic made quality internet an undeniable basic necessity. I am proud that we are investing American Rescue Plan Act to expand our efforts to allow every resident to tap into the world of information, connection, and opportunities that internet access provides. This is a significant step, our work is not done. We need our colleagues in the Federal government to take action on fully funding the Affordable Connectivity Program so we can offer internet at no cost to qualifying households who desperately need it.”
“Think of how many tasks in our daily lives require fast, reliable internet. It is absolutely a game-changer, and soon every Walnut Park family, no matter their economic situation, will have affordable access to it,” said Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We’re bridging the gap to the world of opportunities that the internet has to offer.”
The City of Los Angeles has also voiced its support, at the highest level, for this critical effort:
“Internet is an essential utility that Los Angeles households rely on,” said Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles. “I applaud Los Angeles County leaders for helping make sure that fast, reliable, and affordable internet is available to families so that they can tap into all that internet access provides, including completing schoolwork to accessing public benefits, important information and financial services. I encourage Angelenos living in the communities of East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights and South Los Angeles to get connected through this vital County program.”
Residents of the two service areas who are interested in learning more can sign up for updates at WeLink.com/LACounty.
Community Broadband Network South LA and East LA & Boyle Heights Service Areas:
About WeLink Communications
WeLink is a rapidly growing internet service provider with the motto “Internet by the people, for the people.” Founded in 2018 by broadband industry veterans who believed there had to be a better way than the broken status quo, WeLink prides itself on delivering consistently fast speeds, stronger Wi-Fi, straightforward pricing, and quality customer service. The company’s groundbreaking technology is faster to deploy and more cost-effective than traditional fiber, making it an ideal solution for many communities. Its urban division, WeLink Cities, was formed to maximize the company’s social impact through partnerships that build on federal, state, and local broadband programs to deliver a digital future in which everybody thrives.
About the County of Los Angeles
Los Angeles County, one of California’s original 27 counties, was established on February 18, 1850. It is one of the nation’s largest counties with 4,084 square miles and has the largest population of any county in the nation—nearly 10 million residents who account for approximately 27 percent of California’s population. As a subdivision of the state, the County is charged with providing numerous services that affect the lives of all residents, including law enforcement, tax collection, public health protection, public social services, elections, and flood control.
About the Internal Services Department
The Internal Services Department (ISD) is a general services organization that supports the County of Los Angeles by providing a range of support services to other County departments in the areas of purchasing, contracting, facilities, information technology, and other support services, such as energy and environmental programs management, parking, and mail services. ISD has been designated by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors as the lead department for residential broadband service initiatives. ISD also administers Delete The Divide, an initiative to advance digital equity in underserved communities through partnerships, infrastructure investments, and technology resources that empower residents and small businesses. For more information, visit https://www.deletethedivide.org/.
