PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach has launched the Internet Service Enrollment Line, a new hotline and digital inclusion resource that connects residents with low-cost internet service. The Internet Service Enrollment Line is a statewide Get Connected Call Center powered by the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), whose work focuses on forging partnerships and fostering public policy for the digital divide.

"Digital inclusion is an integral part of economic empowerment and in turn a thriving community,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “This hotline is a critical resource that not only gets more of our community members connected to vital, low-cost internet services—it promotes digital equity in Long Beach to help residents get access to vital resources like jobs and telehealth.”

The Internet Service Enrollment Line is staffed by digital inclusion navigators who will assist callers from start to finish with their low-cost internet service. Representatives are coached and monitored daily, with customer service being top priority. CETF partners with grantee community-based organizations to staff the Internet Service Enrollment Line.

Eligible residents are encouraged to call the toll-free number at 844.321.4472 to get connected.The hotline is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Voicemail is available 24 hours a day, including holidays. Navigators will be available to assist callers in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog.

"I am proud of our efforts to bridge the digital divide in Long Beach by continuously expanding the digital resources and services available to residents and the way we serve our community," said Technology and Innovation Department Director Lea Eriksen."

Eligibility for low-cost internet services for Long Beach residents is dependent upon enrollment in at least one of the following programs: Cal Fresh, Lifeline, Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security (SSI), NSLP (Free or Reduced School Lunch Program) and/or Pell Grant.

This initiative supports the City’s 2030 Strategic Vision goal of supporting the expansion of programs and public-private partnerships dedicated to internet access, hardware acquisition and digital literacy training for low-income households.

The Internet Service Enrollment Line also aligns with the City Council-approved Digital Inclusion Roadmap, which commits to providing low-cost, quality high-speed Internet services for community members at home. The foundation of the Roadmap includes a vision statement, goals, objectives and strategies through a collective impact approach and equity lens in three focus areas: capacity, connectivity and technology.

The City encourages residents, community organizations and local businesses to explore this helpful new tool and share it with their networks.

Community members can learn more about other local digital inclusion resources by calling the Office of Digital Equity and Inclusion at 562.570.7000 during regular City business hours. Community members can also explore the Digital Inclusion Resources Asset Map, a dynamic, interactive digital map that highlights local resources, organizations and programs focused on addressing the digital divide.

More information about the City’s Digital Inclusion Initiative and Roadmap is available at longbeach.gov/digitalinclusion.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.