Editor’s note: This story was produced as part of a collaboration between Sacramento State University's journalism program and Messenger Publishing Group. Journalism majors used U.S. Census Bureau figures and other large datasets to report on trends occurring throughout the region.

GALT, CA (MPG) - Access to high-speed internet has grown quickly in recent years across much of rural Sacramento County, the latest census figures show. 

Broadband refers to internet access at high speeds. The expansion of broadband enables faster web services and quicker loading times for homes, schools and businesses. 

Rural cities in Sacramento County such as Galt have seen an influx in broadband access in the past eight years. 

Galt broadband coverage jumped from about 85% in the period covering 2013 to 2017 to about 92% in the period covering 2019 to 2023, the latest census data show. 

“Having the internet, whether it is through fiber or our wireless services, has really become an essential service for both consumers and businesses.” said Mark Peterson, strategic projects manager of unWired Broadband. 

Peterson said that unWired Broadband has spoken with city officials of Galt to expand broadband access. The company is hoping to bring even faster internet to the area.

“Galt’s city officials have expressed real interest in working with us to boost broadband, so we are working with them on a potential fiber market in that city.” Peterson said.

Fiber is a very efficient method of internet connection that allows users to stream videos, video chat and more. It could aid businesses by offering more remote work opportunities and generally supply better internet access to everyone.

“unWired currently covers all of Galt,” said unWired Broadband marketing specialist Taylor Singleton. 

Singleton also highlighted how unWired Broadband can deliver into homes. 

“One of the most common obstacles to delivering Internet service is limited line-of-sight to our nearby towers. Our network operates through local towers within about 10 miles of the customer’s location but physical obstructions like trees or buildings can interfere with the signal and make service unavailable at certain addresses,” Singleton said. 

Singleton said that unWired uses advanced technology to maintain strong internet connections even in areas with many trees and other obstructions. 

Valley Vision, a nonprofit civic leadership organization, has worked for years to bring broadband to more areas in the Sacramento region.

“Fiber is generally the best option since it delivers high-speed internet directly to peoples’ homes,” said Valley Vision managing director Trish Kelly. “But wireless options are more popular and affordable and faster to distribute in rural places like Galt since they use radio signals from towers to reach houses.”

Liberty Ranch High School Principal Joseph Saramago works closely with students to make broadband more accessible. Fiber broadband has helped the Galt community by connecting people with high-speed internet, providing stronger services to the public and offering students access to online classes. 

“It’s a good feeling to know we can help them. We want to have a level playing field for all students,” Saramago said. “I think we've been successful in being able to provide those in need with the tools necessary to access the curriculum, so that we're working on a level playing field.” 

During the pandemic, Saramago said that Liberty Ranch went digital, applying a one-to-one system assigning a computer to each student. 

“We went to one to one and that was eye opening as many students living in the country did not have internet access,” Saramago said. “We handed out hot spots to assist them with accessing the curriculum.  Today, we still use the 1 to 1 and have far fewer students requiring a hot spot.”

With the expansion of broadband, hot spots for students are less necessary as connection to the internet becomes more accessible. 

California Public Utilities Commission public information officer Taseen Shamim said that the utilities commission uses multiple programs to bridge this digital divide in California.

“For example, the CPUC administers the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) program to encourage deployment of high-quality advanced communications services to all Californians,” Shamim said. 

Grants such as this one among others help the California Public Utilities Commission fund more broadband access to places such as Rio Linda and Galt. 

Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) Executive Officer Jose Henriquez said that private companies lead the way in installing broadband to communities such as Rio Linda. 

Companies that expand broadband access to these communities include Xfinity, HughesNet, Viasat, and T-Mobile. AT&T also plans to expand the fiber market to rural communities in the future.