As the need for reliable internet connectivity continues to grow, communities across the United States are advocating for and implementing broadband access solutions. However, it is important to note that access alone is not enough to bridge the digital divide. In fact, the U.S. National Association of Counties reports that communities must also prioritize affordability and bandwidth of broadband services, as well as digital literacy skills training and programs to ensure all residents can reap the benefits of connectivity.
In this article, we explore the importance of prioritizing affordability, bandwidth, and digital literacy in broadband deployment and the potential economic and social advantages for communities that do so.
Affordability and Bandwidth
While it is important to make broadband services accessible, it is equally important to ensure that these services are affordable and provide sufficient bandwidth to meet the needs of residents. This is particularly important for low-income communities and rural areas where high-speed internet access is often limited or non-existent. Addressing affordability and bandwidth not only increases adoption rates but also leads to more economic opportunities and job growth for residents.
Examples of such opportunities and initiatives include:
- The ConnectHomeUSA program, launched by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2015, provides affordable broadband access to low-income households in HUD-assisted housing.
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which provides discounts of up to $50 per month for broadband services to eligible households.
- Google Fiber’s Community Connection program, which provides free internet access to public and affordable housing properties in cities where Google Fiber operates. (Source: Benton Institute for Broadband & Society)
Digital Literacy
A key to unlocking the benefits of connectivity digital literacy skills training and programs are essential for ensuring that residents can take full advantage of the benefits that come with connectivity. By offering training and support, communities can increase residents’ confidence in using technology, enable them to access online education and healthcare services, and improve their employability. Digital literacy also helps bridge the generational and socioeconomic divides, allowing all residents to participate in a more connected society. Programs and initiatives around the country include:
- The Digital Inclusion Fellowship program, launched by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, places fellows in local communities to provide training and support to individuals who lack digital skills.
- The Detroit Community Technology Project’s Digital Stewards Program, which trains community members to become “digital stewards” and provides them with tools to address digital divides in their communities.
- The Chicago Public Library’s CyberNavigator program, which offers free one-on-one digital literacy training to library patrons. (Source: The Brookings Institution)
Promoting Partnerships for Sustainable Broadband Solutions
To achieve sustainable broadband solutions, communities must work collaboratively with internet service providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Partnerships can help to address the digital divide comprehensively by addressing affordability, bandwidth, and digital literacy. Communities can leverage partnerships to secure funding for digital literacy programs, incentivize ISPs to expand coverage to underserved areas, and create policies that support affordable broadband access. Such programs around the country include:
- The Broadband Infrastructure Office in North Carolina partners with internet service providers, local governments, and other stakeholders to expand broadband access across the state.
- The Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund, which is a collaboration between the city government, private sector companies, and philanthropic organizations to provide affordable broadband access and digital literacy training to underserved residents.
- The Next Century Cities initiative, which is a coalition of over 200 cities and communities working to expand broadband access and improve digital infrastructure, advocates for partnerships between local governments and broadband providers. (Source: Institute for Local Self-Reliance)
In conclusion, the deployment of broadband access solutions alone is not enough to bridge the digital divide. Prioritizing affordability, bandwidth, and digital literacy are crucial components to ensure that all residents can reap the benefits of connectivity. As connectivity professionals, we have a responsibility to advocate for and implement solutions that address these critical considerations.
Siklu, a leading provider of millimeter-wave solutions, is enabling affordable, future-ready multi-gigabit connectivity solutions necessary for the bridging of digital divides across the United States. By prioritizing affordability, bandwidth, and digital literacy in our efforts to deploy broadband access solutions, we can ensure that all communities can participate in a connected world, with all the opportunities and advantages that come with it.
Sources
Affordability and Bandwidth:
- The ConnectHomeUSA program: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/connecthomeusa
- The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program: https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit
- Google Fiber’s Community Connection program: https://www.benton.org/blog/googles-free-internet-housing-program-expands-more-cities
Digital Literacy:
- The Digital Inclusion Fellowship program: https://www.digitalinclusion.org/digital-inclusion-fellowship/
- The Detroit Community Technology Project’s Digital Stewards Program: https://detroitcommunitytech.org/digital-stewards/
- The Chicago Public Library’s CyberNavigator program: https://www.chipublib.org/using-the-library/computers-and-wifi/cybernavigators/
Promoting Partnerships:
- The Broadband Infrastructure Office in North Carolina: https://www.ncbroadband.gov/about/
- The Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund: https://www.kcdigitalinclusion.org/about-the-fund
- The Next Century Cities initiative: https://nextcenturycities.org/about/