- Defining BEAD Terminology
- Massachusetts Builds Connectivity Into Public Housing
- DigitalC to Replicate the “Cleveland Model” in Detroit
- Blueprint for AI Literacy Released
- Report: Computer Ownership in Rural America
DEFINING BEAD TERMINOLOGY
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has released a new resource offering guidance for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program: "Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (BEAD FAQ) Version 13." This follows recent changes to the BEAD program.
Digital inclusion advocates have raised concerns about program shifts. An Aug. 11 letter from officials with the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition and the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society criticized BEAD FAQ Version 12 for limiting the scope of locations that may qualify as a community support organization (CSO). Although the letter cites BEAD FAQ Version 12, BEAD FAQ Version 13 uses the same definition.
The groups raised concerns that narrowly defining such organizations as those “located in a government-owned facility that provides publicly accessible Internet service and currently offers digital skills training” could remove critical community anchor institution locations from BEAD project areas. They also warn this definition could remove the flexibility and authority that Congress granted to states to determine eligible CSO locations.
The BEAD program’s structure enabling state-by-state flexibility was an intentional part of the congressionally approved program's design, enabling state officials to determine the technologies and strategy that would be most effective to connect by residents’ unique needs.
The letter warns that narrowing eligibility requirements could leave CSOs “at risk of being left out.” For example, in rural areas in which communities may not live close to a school or library, residents may rely on other gathering spaces like houses of worship or senior centers for Internet access. These organizations may not be located in government-owned buildings, but still play an important role in connecting their communities.
In addition, some of these CSOs may offer critical services but with a limited capacity, therefore not necessarily meeting requirements of “publicly accessible Internet service.”
The text of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as enacted by Congress, does not qualify the definition of a CSO in the way NTIA is now using, according to the letter, which called on NTIA to let states make decisions about the locations that fit the definition of community anchor institutions.
The new rules for the program have faced scrutiny from experts, with some criticizing its potential to hinder broadband affordability efforts and others emphasizing that Congress alone holds the authority to make spending decisions.
MASSACHUSETTS BUILDS CONNECTIVITY INTO PUBLIC HOUSING
Massachusetts is investing more than $31 million to improve Internet access for residents living in affordable and public housing units. The funding was awarded to four Internet service providers through the state’s Residential Retrofit Program, which is funded by the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund. The program targets and improves inadequate wiring and infrastructure in these buildings.
This round of funding will impact more than 13,700 housing units across the state. The installation of fiber-optic or CAT6 Internet infrastructure, customer home-based equipment, and Wi-Fi service will support modernized Internet access.
“Public and affordable housing residents deserve the same level of connectivity as everyone else,” Massachusetts Broadband Institute Director Michael Baldino said in a statement.
DIGITALC TO REPLICATE THE “CLEVELAND MODEL” IN DETROIT
DigitalC, a Cleveland-based nonprofit organization supporting broadband access, is expanding its reach in the region to Detroit.
A recently released case study examines DigitalC’s work to replicate the Cleveland Model in the new market with a three-year project dubbed “Canopy, Powered by Connect 313.” The project aims to connect 450 families in Detroit Housing Commission communities to free home Internet for three years. The initiative is funded by the Rocket Community Fund and Microsoft. This announcement marks the first time DigitalC has expanded its market outside of Cleveland.
Digital equity has been a focus in Detroit for years, with the Department of Innovation and Technology supporting work to expand access to devices. A new initiative in the city, “AI in the D,” is bringing AI literacy training to the community, too.
BLUEPRINT FOR AI LITERACY RELEASED
EDSAFE AI Alliance, a coalition of education and technology companies working to shape the AI landscape, has released a new resource aimed at creating a framework to make AI literacy a core piece of modern education. AI skills are increasingly being recognized as an essential component of digital literacy.
The “Blueprint for Action: Comprehensive AI Literacy for All” was developed with industry, research, philanthropic and education leaders to outline policy actions at various levels of government. This includes supporting educators in developing and integrating AI in curriculum.
“This Blueprint reflects a collective call to treat AI literacy … as a foundation for the future and as essential for our workforce, democratic participation, ethical agency, human flourishing, and economic competitiveness,” according to the report.
It is organized into learning considerations, social and ethical considerations, and economic and civic considerations for AI literacy.
REPORT: COMPUTER OWNERSHIP IN RURAL AMERICA
Digitunity, a national nonprofit working to expand computer ownership, has released a new report examining device access in rural communities.
The report cites findings that reveal 10 percent of households rely on smartphones to access the Internet, and 4 percent have no computing device at all. For rural communities, which face unique digital access inequities, five specific goals can support connectivity, according to the report.
First, rural organizations should be aware of computer-related needs in their community, actively supporting solutions. Second, rural communities should be working with computer suppliers. Third, rural communities should be formalizing deployment practices. Fourth, partner organizations should implement digital skills training opportunities. Fifth, rural communities should have the necessary knowledge to expand and support the device access ecosystem.
Device access remains a priority in state and local governments’ efforts to get people connected to the Internet.
