|
Residents and Small Businesses Can Now Sign Up for Affordable, High-Speed Internet Through WeLink as Communities Come Online
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles County Internal Services Department (ISD) and WeLink Communications (WeLink) announced today that construction of the County's first Community Broadband Networks (CBN) is nearing completion, with new affordable, high-speed internet service now available to residents and small businesses in select communities across East Los Angeles and South Los Angeles.
The new internet service is offered by WeLink in partnership with Los Angeles County. WeLink provides a low-cost home internet plan starting at $25 per month for qualifying households and market-rate plans starting at $65 per month. All plans feature fixed monthly pricing with no promotional rates through at least September 2027, unlimited data, necessary equipment, no credit checks or cash deposits, and multilingual customer support. Interested residents and small businesses in the service areas can contact WeLink at WeLink.com/LACounty or by calling (844) 285-9434.
Service is becoming available across all or portions of the following communities in unincorporated Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles:
-
Supervisorial District 1: East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, Montecito Heights, and El Sereno
-
Supervisorial District 2: Adams-Normandie, University Park, Historic South-Central, Exposition Park, Vermont Square, South Park, Central-Alameda, Chesterfield Square, Harvard Park, Vermont-Slauson, Florence, Florence-Firestone, Manchester Square, Vermont Knolls, Gramercy Park, Westmont, Vermont Vista, Broadway-Manchester, Green Meadows, Watts, Athens, Willowbrook, and West Rancho Dominguez
-
Supervisorial District 4: Walnut Park
"As the world becomes increasingly reliant on digital technology, Los Angeles County is committed to helping bridge the digital divide, especially in communities that have historically faced barriers to access," said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. "I was proud to launch this effort to expand affordable internet access for residents in East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, Montecito Heights, El Sereno, and communities across Los Angeles County. Access to reliable broadband is essential, and this program will help ensure more families, students, and workers have the tools they need to learn, work and thrive."
"Affordable, reliable internet is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity for education, employment, healthcare, and simply staying connected. I'm proud that Los Angeles County, through our partnership with WeLink, is helping to close the digital divide by bringing an affordable high-speed internet option to more than 182,000 South Los Angeles homes. This investment is about creating opportunity, ensuring families aren't forced to choose between paying for internet and other basic necessities, and making sure every resident, regardless of their ZIP code, has the tools they need to thrive," said Los Angeles County Second District Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell.
“Fast, reliable internet has become as essential as electricity or running water, but for too many families, it has simply been too expensive and out of reach,” said Los Angeles County Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn. “This program changes that. Every Walnut Park resident will have access to affordable internet, regardless of their income, helping close the digital divide once and for all.”
Michael Owh, Director of the Los Angeles County Internal Services Department, said, “As part of our commitment to serve our communities, we’re proud to lead the Community Broadband Networks initiative. This effort brings together ISD’s strengths in technology and strategic sourcing to expand reliable, affordable internet access in communities with low home‑internet adoption. What began as a concept to connect 12,500 households has grown into a service capable of reaching more than twenty times that number, thanks to a public‑private approach centered on community needs and focused on delivering fast, reliable, and affordable broadband.”
WeLink’s CEO, Dennis O’Connell, said, “WeLink is honored to partner with Los Angeles County to bring affordable home internet access to those households in the East and South LA areas that remain unconnected for any reason. We look forward to serving all the local residents for many decades to come.”
Why This Matters: Los Angeles County created its CBN initiative to reduce the hundreds of thousands of households that lack a home broadband subscription, particularly in communities where more than 20 percent of households remain unconnected because of cost or reliability barriers. WeLink’s CBN service provides a new, affordable broadband option that helps families access jobs, healthcare, education, public services, community resources, and more—at home, reliably, and without financial strain.
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. ISD has been designated by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors as the lead department for residential broadband service initiatives. ISD also administers Delete The Divide (DTD), an initiative to advance digital equity in underserved communities through partnerships, infrastructure investments, and technology resources that empower residents and small businesses. More information on DTD is available at www.deletethedivide.org.
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.
|