Digital Equity

Around 19,000 homes and businesses in Ashland, Meads, Catlettsburg and surrounding parts of Boyd County are set to be equipped for high-speed Internet service, officials announced Monday.

Wi-Fi hot spots have become a technological lifeline for Seattle residents without consistent access to services of their own. The program, which started in 2015, allows anyone with a library card to use the devices for 21 days.

The St. Louis, Mo., public library system is adding 8,000 new wireless Internet hot spots and 1,500 Chromebooks for city patrons who don't have high-speed Internet or computer access at home.

The grant funding that the Cullman Electric Cooperative needed for its Sprout fiber-optic Internet project was not awarded. The financial setback will mean several communities will not get service by 2023 as originally planned.

Plus, a new study looks into characteristics of the digital divide in counties, planning for Digital Inclusion Week 2022 is now underway, the White House awards $119M in grants to tribal communities, and more.

According to industry experts, the answer varies based on each state or community's needs, and some examples include obtaining federal broadband funding, creating long-term plans and anticipating future challenges.

The city’s municipal utility announced Wednesday it's boosting its Internet connection speeds through its fiber-optic division to offer 25 gigabits per second to all homes and businesses.

The National Skills Coalition has released an informational resource to support states in their implementation of the Digital Equity Act and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program.

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance has released its annual list of cities that meet its criteria for digital inclusion trailblazers, and this year’s group is the largest yet, featuring 32 local or regional governments.

Plus, Georgia allocates $240 million toward broadband grants; the Public Library Association is hosting digital literacy workshops at 160 libraries; every state has applied for the Internet for All Initiative; and more.

Officials in the Texas city are urging residents to take advantage of the federally funded Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides discounts for Internet service as well as technology, like laptops and tablets.

Starting this fall, an estimated 40,000 residents residing in five local neighborhoods will have access to free Wi-Fi under an expanded city network called CFW Neighborhood.

On Aug. 15, states must submit initial planning funds applications to the NTIA to receive federal broadband funding. One industry expert and three state broadband directors share what to expect.

The Iowa Office of the Chief Information Officer released the latest broadband coverage map last week, which aims to determine where high-speed Internet is available in the state and where it's lacking.

Plus, federal lawmakers introduce multiple pieces of legislation related to boosting the nation's broadband infrastructure, Texas moves forward with its own broadband availability map, and more.

The federally funded broadband project created 61 miles worth of service to houses in previously unserved parts of New Carlisle, South Charleston and South Vienna. Additional funding will connect 1,000 more homes.

Alaska leaders are stepping up efforts to land a giant chunk of more than $65 billion that's available to improve broadband service across the U.S., largely through last year's infrastructure bill.

By offering free home Internet service to low-income families, a Tennessee school district has nearly eliminated racial disparities in parental involvement and opened the door for virtual parent-teacher conferences.