In “Ensuring Resilience Through Connectivity In Our New Normal,” moderator Teri Takai, co-executive director of the Center for Digital Government* (CDG), and Joe Panora, CDG senior fellow, examined the cyclical nature of the increasing pressure state and local governments face to perform. They also discussed the California Network and Telecommunications (CALNET) Category 19 Cellular Voice and Data Services contract awarded in 2019. Among the takeaways:
- The vast numbers of residents kept home by the pandemic have already changed government’s business model, Panora said, and as a result, state officials “truly want 24 by 7, anywhere, anyplace, anytime” delivery. This, in turn, has impacts to reliability, resiliency and the types of services people expect their government to provide — as well as medical, first responder and education institutions. Panora said he thinks there will be a “huge push” to reach underserved communities and resolve digital inequities.
“I don’t think you can tip one vertical within government. I think it’s government as a whole (that) really has to take a step back on their business model and how now they’re going to have to change delivery on modes of service. Because their typical business model has been turned upside down,“ he said. - The CALNET contract is available as a leveraged procurement done by the state and the California Department of Technology. It replaced the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) ValuePoint California Participating Addendum (CA-PA) Wireless Telecom contract, which expired Dec. 31, 2019. And it offers customized service plans capable of addressing customers’ unique challenges. Per its language, the contract is mandatory for “non-exempt, state executive branch entities” that bought cell service via the NASPO contract.
- With citizens “driven to need” broadband to access government in different ways during the pandemic, Takai said, that “then translates into government needing to have those services themselves” to ensure citizens are cared for. The key to innovation, across everything from health care and telehealth to education and emergency services and small business, is underlying technology, Panora said.
“So, all aspects, I think if you look at devices and infrastructure, and the types of systems and cloud migration and the overall underpinning security that you need to have in place, I think in all parts of state government, we’ll see that it’s the leveraging of technology,” Panora said.
