Addressing the digital divide
Opening Doors to Opportunity: Six New Connected Learning Centers Coming to California
Celebrating California’s Summer of Connectivity
Addressing the digital divide
Celebrating California’s Summer of Connectivity
August 28, 2026
August 28, 2026
Key insights
01
AT&T is pairing network investment with access. As AT&T modernizes and expands its California network, our Summer of Connectivity is helping more Californians use that connectivity — with more than 3,400 laptops donated so far this year through more than 30 local organizations, and 1,000+ more planned by the end of 2026.
02
California is a national leader in Connected Learning Centers. AT&T opened four new Connected Learning Centers in California this summer, bringing the statewide total to 21. With two more planned by year-end, California will have 23 centers — the most of any state in AT&T’s footprint.
03
The 100th Connected Learning Center milestone happened here for a reason. California’s role in AT&T’s digital access work runs deep, from the first CLC in Los Angeles to the 100th nationwide center in Sacramento — underscoring our commitment to connect more California communities to the tools, skills and resources they need to thrive.
AT&T is investing in California’s future by modernizing the network communities rely on and deploying next-generation infrastructure made possible by policies that support continued investment and innovation. That means not just building new network facilities but also working with local organizations to bring technology, skills and digital resources directly to Californians.
Across California this summer, AT&T is putting that commitment into action – placing laptops in students’ hands, opening new Connected Learning Centers for families and older adults, and bringing digital skills and resources directly to communities that need them most.
The goal is simple: help more people get connected and stay connected. Nationwide, AT&T has committed $5 billion to help 25 million people do that by 2030 through expanded access, affordability and safe adoption.
In California, that commitment has already helped open 21 Connected Learning Centers since 2021 and put nearly 36,000 laptops into the hands of Californians – connecting people to learning, jobs, and essential resources.
A Milestone Made in California
This summer marked a major moment for our Connected Learning Center program.
In July, AT&T opened its 100th Connected Learning Center nationwide at Street Soccer USA in Sacramento. The center gives local youth and families free access to high-speed internet, computers, tutoring and mentoring. To mark the opening, AT&T and Compudopt also gave 100 refurbished laptops and a year of free internet to 100 households.
Why did we choose to open our hundredth in California? California has been part of the CLC program since the beginning. Our first center opened in Los Angeles, and the Sacramento milestone signifies our commitment to connect more California communities and invest an additional $19 billion in our network statewide.
Sacramento was one of four new CLCs AT&T opened in California this summer. We also opened centers with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Ventura at the E.J. Harrison Family Youth Center in Saticoy, One For All – OFAKIDS in Inglewood, and the Florence Douglas Senior Center in Vallejo. Each gives local youth, families and older adults free access to internet, computers and digital literacy courses.
And we’re not done. Two more CLCs are set to open by the end of 2026, at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts in Richmond and Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians Boys & Girls Club in Lake County. That will bring California to 23 centers by the end of the year.
Putting Technology Directly into Californians’ Hands
Connected Learning Centers are only one part of our work. Throughout the year, AT&T has also joined local nonprofit and community organizations to get laptops directly to people who need them.
That has meant working alongside more than 35 organizations serving communities of all kinds and reaching every generation across California so far this year, including:
- Alameda Point Collaborative in Alameda
- Culver-Palms Family YMCA in Culver City
- Desert Manna in Barstow
- emPOWERment, Dess Perkins Foundation in Bakersfield
- Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel
- Oakland Public Library
- Oxnard Police Activities League in Ventura County
- Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians
- Street Soccer USA in Sacramento
- Mission Valley YMCA and Border View YMCA in San Diego
- Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance in Yolo County
- Camp Fire across the state
Together, we have distributed more than 3,400 laptops, with more than 1,000 additional laptops expected to reach Californians by the end of the year.
- In Oxnard, AT&T and Human-I-T provided 500 refurbished laptops and backpacks filled with school supplies to students through the Oxnard Police Activities League.
- In Bakersfield, 100 students received laptops and backpacks through emPOWERment, Dess Perkins Foundation.
- In West Sacramento, AT&T and Human-I-T provided 200 laptops through Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance to help older adults access resources like telehealth, stay in touch with family and friends and participate more fully online.
Each event looks different because each community is different. The goal is the same – help more Californians access the technology, connectivity and skills that open doors to greater possibility.
Building Connections that Last
Our Summer of Connectivity is part of a much larger commitment to California.
In May, with the ability to modernize our California network, we announced our commitment to invest $19 billion to modernize and expand our network across the state, including expanding fiber to more than 4 million additional homes and businesses, deploying more than 1,200 new wireless sites and hiring hundreds of technicians. That builds on the more than $14 billion we invested in our California network over the previous five years.
Building the network matters. So does making sure people have the devices, skills and community resources to help them take advantage of it. Working with organizations that know their communities best, helps turn connectivity into opportunity.
What our Community Members are Saying
“These laptops from AT&T will help open doors and unlock a world of learning in our community.”
Dess Perkins
Founder
emPOWERment, Dess Perkins Foundation
“Technology opens the door to education, career opportunities and everyday essentials.”
Patti Birmingham
CEO
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura
“These laptops and school supplies will help our students stay engaged in the classroom.”
Olympia Hugo
Cultural & Recreation Services Supervisor
Oxnard Police Activities League
“Soccer creates connection, confidence, and opportunity. Our Connected Learning Center builds on that foundation by providing the connectivity, technology, and resources people need to develop new skills, pursue their goals, and thrive in today's digital world.”
Lisa Wrightsman
Managing Director
Street Soccer USA Sacramento
“These laptops will help older adults in our community access telehealth services, connect with family and friends, pursue lifelong learning opportunities and navigate important online resources.”
Nancy Gifford
Program Director
Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance
From Sacramento to San Diego and communities in between, this summer showed what is possible when modern networks and strong local collaboration work together. AT&T is proud to keep investing in the people, organizations and infrastructure that help more Californians connect to greater possibility.
Related stories
Addressing the digital divide
AT&T Expands Digital Access for Thousands of Californians Through Summer of Connectivity
