Cities Work to Close the Digital Divide
The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn much needed attention to the digital divide between those who have access to modern technology and broadband internet and those who do not. Not having access to these resources can negatively impact an individual’s economic prospects, quality of life, and engagement with society. In March 2020 when in-person non-essential workplaces and schools closed, communities across the country scrambled to adjust to the virtual setting and local officials realized they needed to take steps to connect residents digitally. Various approaches have been used to advance digital equity, and there are four cities in particular whose strategies can serve as a framework for policy makers and local officials: Chattanooga, Houston, Sacramento, and Philadelphia. The following are highlights of action steps taken in these cities:
Since 2010, Chattanooga, Tennessee has worked to extend internet access to everyone in the city. The city has launched a discounted internet program for low-income households, added 130 WIFI hotspots in high need areas, and started EdConnect, a program that delivers at home internet service to more than 12,000 K-12 students.
Houston, Texas recognized that there were populations, in addition to K-12 students, without access to broadband internet. These groups included seniors, children under the age of five, and individuals with disabilities. The city partnered with libraries and community organizations to distribute computers to these populations and increase WIFI hotspots throughout the city.
In October of 2019, Sacramento, California launched a program to provide free WIFI access in city parks. Since the start of the pandemic, the city has worked to bridge the digital divide by distributing a variety of resources such as free broadband internet, computers, and hot spots to priority populations, including low-income households with children and seniors.
Philadelphia has leveraged partnerships with agencies, non-profit organizations, network providers, philanthropies, and corporations to further their digital equity goals. Most importantly, the city has recognized that this work will require investment and planning beyond the pandemic, and they are working on a long-term digital equity strategy that will be released this spring.
These four cities provide examples of what it looks like to prioritize digital inclusion and equity. Moving forward, strong partnerships, long-term planning, and dedicated sources of funding will be key to advancing long-lasting change. Nonetheless, the first step in closing the digital divide is simply recognizing that inequitable access to broadband internet is an infrastructure issue that requires action.
Source:
Goldstein, P. (2021, March 24). How 4 Cities Are Trying to Close the Digital Divide. StateTech. https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2021/03/how-4-cities-are-trying-close-digital-divide
