Enhancing Digital Access to the Economy

Aug 21

Access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband is essential to full participation in modern American society. But the United States faces a persistent and growing “digital divide” — a gulf between those with access to affordable, reliable broadband and those without it. Accessibility can be impacted by a variety of factors — physical infrastructure, cost, internet speed, or access to network devices. Furthermore, inaccessible or unaffordable broadband may impact different populations in different ways; they may struggle with the lack of access to remote work opportunities, remote learning, or be unable to use telemedicine for routine medical care. Addressing each of these barriers requires a different, targeted policy solution.

As policymakers consider interventions to address these challenges, they must first understand whether the barriers specific to their jurisdiction are provoked by issues of access, affordability, or adoption, or any combinations of these aspects. Narrowing in on root causes and defining desired outcomes at the outset are critical steps in designing effective and equitable solutions to expanding access.

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Policy Playbooks: Access to Digital Economy

Featured

Increasing Broadband Affordability

High-speed broadband is an essential utility for Americans to learn, work, access public services, and engage with their government and community. Tens of millions of residents nationwide still lack reliable, high-quality broadband access. Without addressing broadband costs, it is unlikely communities will close the digital divide.

Digital Navigators

Connecting Low-Income Americans to Broadband

Today, approximately 29 million of the 123 million households in the United States do not have high-speed broadband. Despite the availability of affordable broadband plans for the last ten years, 20 million of these households, representing over 55 million people, are offline because they cannot afford an available Internet connection. Many of those unconnected are eligible for federal subsidy programs that are already in place, but either do not know about them or do not know how to sign up. Furthermore, in America’s most unconnected communities, where 38% of households do not have home broadband, 20-25% of these residents without broadband live in low-income apartment buildings. By installing infrastructure for free Wi-Fi into these buildings, we can make a significant impact on closing the digital divide.

Andrew Coy

Enhancing Digital Access to the Economy

Policy Playbooks: Access to Digital Economy

Stimulating Recovery for Impacted & Disadvantaged Businesses

Employing Residents in High Demand Careers