November 13, 2025

Closing the digital divide is a civil rights imperative. Too many Black, Latino, Asian American, and Native communities in California have lived in “digital deserts” for decades, stuck with outdated infrastructure,  unreliable service, and communities with limited access. This merger offers a path to real investment in modern fiber networks, expanded affordability programs, and better service for communities that have been left behind.

We understand concerns about affordability, and we share them. But leaving communities of color with deteriorating infrastructure and an operator without the resources to fix it is also a harm. A stronger, more capable provider with a track record of fiber deployment, equity-focused programs,  and promises of further investments in communities of color gives our communities a better chance to access the high-quality broadband that education, jobs, health care, and economic opportunity now require.

Our support is rooted in one thing: ensuring that every Californian—regardless of ZIP code—can fully participate in the digital economy. We will hold Verizon accountable for delivering on that promise.

— Rick L. Callender,
President, NAACP California Hawaii State Conference