- Digital Inclusion Week 2025
- Lawsuit Challenges Digital Equity Act’s Repeal
- Vermont Broadband Technicians Graduate
- New Mexico’s Public Wi-Fi Program
- New York Invests in Connectivity
- Grant Aims to Build Texas Workforce
DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK 2025
This week is Digital Inclusion Week (DIW), a time of recognition for and celebration of the digital inclusion work taking place across the U.S. DIW is empowered by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, which supports entities in the public sector and elsewhere as they hold events, run campaigns and share successes with the public. Last year, the initiative was marked by 194 events in 27 states.
The theme of DIW this year is “Community-Driven Digital Futures.” A range of entities are celebrating, a few of which are highlighted below.
New York City’s Office of Technology and Innovation announced a forum at Civic Hall in Manhattan, and a new video to showcase various programming opportunities to improve digital literacy. Earlier this year, the city launched its first Digital Equity Roadmap.
The Chicago Public Library announced it is hosting digital literacy learning events addressing basic computer skills this week.
At the local level, Westchester County, N.Y., has announced a series of events, including laptop distribution at a library and a conversation with elected officials.
For older adults, the nonprofit Older Adults Technology Services from AARP released its Aging Connected 2025 report, analyzing new American Community Survey data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau that revealed significant access gaps between older and younger adults.
For youth, the nonprofit organization Connected Nation is offering a series of workshops this week, led by students and Connected Nation staff, on Internet safety and digital skills, at locations across the U.S.
NDIA’s website has a map of DIW events for 2025 and more information on how to host an event.
LAWSUIT CHALLENGES DIGITAL EQUITY ACT’S REPEAL
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court challenging the repeal of the Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant Program.
When the president called for an end to the Digital Equity Act in May, stakeholders pushed back against the termination of $2.75 billion in congressionally allocated digital equity funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
NDIA is asking the court to compel the administration to restore the grant program, challenging the Truth Social post that alleged the Digital Equity Act was unconstitutional.
The digital inclusion organization was awarded grant funds on Jan. 21 through the Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant Program, intended to help NDIA support 13 local digital navigator programs in 11 states; it was originally slated to start in March.
“Let’s be very clear, the Digital Equity Act is not unconstitutional nor racist, it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support to ensure the United States can compete in today’s modern economy,” NDIA Executive Director Angela Siefer said in a statement.
NDIA is represented in this lawsuit by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
VERMONT BROADBAND TECHNICIANS GRADUATE
In state news, a new class of broadband technicians has graduated this week in Vermont, through the Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB)’s Broadband Technician Apprenticeship/Pre-Apprenticeship Training.
The three-week course, available to participants at no cost, covers Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10 safety standards, first aid, and communication skills. There’s also technical training for things like splicing testing, repairing fiber-optic cables, bucket truck operations and pole climbing. Individuals who completed this training also received a stipend to help them start their careers in this field.
The technicians who have graduated, as VCBB Executive Director Christine Hallquist said in a statement, “are sought after workers.”
The training program launched in 2024 and was expanded in August. More information can be found on VCBB’s website.
NEW MEXICO’S PUBLIC WI-FI PROGRAM
In other state news, the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) announced a $7 million grant program that will use state funds to support public Wi-Fi expansion.
The Community Connect Grant Program will target communities with connectivity gaps using funding from the OBAE’s $70 million Connect New Mexico Fund, established in 2021 by the state Legislature through the Connect New Mexico Act.
Entities eligible for grants through this program include municipal, county, regional and tribal governments, state agencies, public education institutions, and Internet service providers.
More information can be found on the Connect New Mexico website.
NEW YORK INVESTS IN CONNECTIVITY
New York is also investing in bridging digital inequities with $5.2 million in new awards to expand mobile service in Nassau, Otsego, Schenectady and Warren counties and more than $10 million in awards under the ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program and Affordable Housing Connectivity Program.
In addition, ConnectALL is launching three new funding opportunities as New York conducts statewide mobile service coverage tests. The plan is to complete mobile service signal testing across about 20,000 miles of the state by the end of 2026 to inform future investments.
There will be information sessions for the three new requests for approvals — two under the Connectivity Innovation Program and one under the Regional and Local Assistance Program — the timing of which will be announced on the state broadband website.
GRANT AIMS TO BUILD TEXAS WORKFORCE
The Wireless Infrastructure Association has been selected to receive a $5 million Building the Texas Broadband Workforce Grant from the Texas Broadband Development Office.
With this grant, WIA will operate a statewide, tuition-free fiber-optic training program to certify Texans, with the University of Houston as a strategic partner. The program will use a 144-hour certification program developed by the Fiber Broadband Association.
“This initiative is an excellent addition to our career training programs and will serve to prepare the next generation of Texans for high demand jobs and fulfilling careers in the broadband industry,” University of Houston Senior Associate Dean for Research and Facilities Dmitri Litvinov said in a statement.
Broadband expansion work is expected to create jobs, and states like Ohio and others are investing in training future workers. A growing number of organizations are implementing formal training programs in this area.
