The Brief: Cisco has partnered with the City of Los Angeles and nonprofit organizations, including Destination Crenshaw, the California Community Foundation, and Digital Equity LA, to launch the Crenshaw Community Connectivity Pilot. This initiative provides free internet access along key streets, parks, and public spaces in LA’s historic Crenshaw Corridor. The pilot is designed to benefit residents, businesses, and visitors while addressing digital equity in South LA. The infrastructure includes 1.5 miles of underground fiber and cloud-managed Cisco outdoor access points, supported by Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) to ensure secure connectivity where fiber is still being installed. The network also serves as a foundation for future smart city applications and supports major upcoming events in Los Angeles.
Analyst Perspective: Through a coordinated effort among government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and Cisco, the Crenshaw Community Connectivity Pilot works to increase digital access across South Los Angeles. Deploying free Wi-Fi along major streets, parks, and public spaces enables the initiative to directly address the digital divide, offering residents, businesses, and visitors reliable internet connectivity. The integration of underground fiber optics, cloud-managed Cisco access points, and ultra-reliable wireless backhaul ensures secure and consistent service even in areas where fiber deployment is ongoing. Beyond immediate connectivity, the network is designed to support future smart city applications, such as enhanced traffic management, public safety, and emergency response systems. As LA prepares to host major international events, this initiative positions the Crenshaw Corridor as a connected, accessible hub, creating educational, economic, and social opportunities while modeling a collaborative approach that other urban areas can replicate.
The Crenshaw Community Connectivity Pilot was implemented using 1.5 miles of underground fiber from Leimert Park Plaza to the Hyde Park Metro Station. The LA Bureau of Street Lighting leveraged existing street lighting infrastructure to host Cisco’s cloud-managed outdoor access points. Cisco’s Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) ensures consistent, secure connectivity in areas where fiber deployment is ongoing. This combination of fiber and advanced wireless technology provides comprehensive coverage along major streets, parks, and public gathering spaces in the Crenshaw Corridor, including Hyde Park, Park Mesa, and Leimert Park. The project demonstrates a coordinated effort between city agencies, nonprofits, and technology providers to deliver functional, high-speed internet for both residents and visitors.
The free Wi-Fi network offers practical advantages for the Crenshaw Corridor community. Residents gain reliable access for educational, professional, and civic engagement purposes, while local businesses can enhance operations and reach new customers. Visitors attending cultural and sporting events in the area can also use the service, supporting economic activity and tourism. The initiative aligns with broader municipal goals of digital equity, ensuring connectivity is not restricted by geography or ZIP code. Through combining community input with technological solutions, the project addresses both immediate connectivity needs and longer-term community development objectives.
While providing residents and visitors with immediate internet service, the system also supports advanced urban technology projects. The network is capable of hosting data-driven applications, including traffic management, pedestrian and public safety monitoring, environmental sensing, and improved emergency response. The deployment aligns with Los Angeles’ preparation for upcoming global events, offering a platform that can scale for large public gatherings. Cisco’s role as the official network equipment partner for the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games reinforces the project’s relevance to both current community needs and long-term city planning, highlighting how targeted digital investments can generate sustained value for residents and municipal operations.
The launch of the Crenshaw Community Connectivity Pilot highlights how targeted digital infrastructure can positively impact a neighborhood’s economic, social, and civic landscape. Through providing free, reliable internet access, the initiative addresses longstanding gaps in connectivity while supporting local business growth and enhancing public engagement.
The integration of advanced networking technology ensures that the system can adapt to future demands, including large-scale events and smart city applications. Residents can leverage the Wi-Fi for educational and professional purposes, while the corridor benefits from a safer, more connected environment. The collaboration between city agencies, nonprofit partners, and Cisco illustrates how cross-sector partnerships can produce effective, sustainable solutions.
This pilot serves as a blueprint for expanding digital access in other urban communities as well as a demonstration of how technology can enhance inclusion and opportunity. Long-term, the project positions South LA as a model for equitable, innovation-driven community development.
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