Digital Equity

Farmers in Somerset County, Pa., are calling for creative solutions from the state to expand rural Internet service. The region — a mix of hills, mountains and ridgelines — has been historically difficult to connect.

A panel at the AWS IMAGINE education conference in Seattle this week said schools are already equipped with the tools needed to tackle digital equity if governments, administrators and educators can put them to use.

Plus, the White House announces $401 million in broadband funding now headed toward rural areas, a strong majority of adults in the U.S. now considers high-speed Internet a necessity, and much more.

An $18.5 million federal grant has been awarded to Reservation Telephone Cooperative to expand high-speed Internet access to homes and businesses in western North Dakota and part of eastern Montana.

Digital equity advocates say this may be the single largest dispersion of federal grant money to one local-level organization in the space, and as such, it may serve as a model for others going forward.

According to county officials, nearly 85 percent of the county has access to high-speed Internet service, though areas with no business base are not afforded the same access. New federal and state funds will help close that gap.

The university has teamed up with four local community libraries to establish Chromebook lending programs and shrink the digital divide as telework and online learning continue to boost demand for devices.

Plus, Michigan's high-speed Internet office has hired its first chief connectivity officer, the Biden administration earmarks $10 million grants to expand broadband to minority communities, and more.

The newly announced Equity Through Data and Privacy Program in San Jose, Calif., will use government data and analytics to better serve residents through an equity-based, accountability-driven approach.

A recent audit of Empire State Development's (ESD) New NY Broadband Program by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found that the program had fallen short of its mission due to “poor planning and execution.”

High-ranking Democrats are making a big deal about expanding access to and affordability of high-speed Internet in Nevada and elsewhere, and they'll continue to highlight the issue this week with a major announcement.

Fewer than 20 percent of eligible New Jersey households have taken advantage of federal government subsidies to help them afford high-speed Internet connections, the White House said Thursday

A Pennsylvania school district will offer routers and broadband service, covered by the federal Emergency Connectivity Fund, to students who need Internet at home and to boost interest in the Hazleton Area Cyber Academy.

Plus, New Mexico has a new leader for its state broadband team; Baltimore is restructuring its digital equity work; FCC leadership is proposing an increase for minimum broadband speeds; and more.

As a historic amount of money for broadband and digital equity comes down from the federal government to the states, we take a look at some of what's happening in Michigan, New York and Virginia.

A new-to-the-market Internet service provider says it is ready to reach into even the most underserved parts of New Mexico’s largest city through a new licensing agreement with the local government there.

The state is set to receive $110 million in federal funds to expand high-speed Internet access to about 22,000 families and businesses in rural parts of the state. The money comes from the American Rescue Plan.

Clatsop, Ore., residents are being asked to take a short Internet speed test to help Faster Internet Oregon — a collaboration among economic development districts and other agencies — locate the service gaps.