Digital Equity

As states work to make use of federal broadband funding, a stipulation that the money can't be used for wireless networks is shortsighted and could hinder high-speed Internet access for those who need it now.

A free Chromebook computer along with a year of free Internet access will be given to anyone who finishes all 15 hours of a new digital literacy course that's kicking off at a library in Massachusetts this month.

Plus, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has launched a digital equity challenge, a report found that nearly 90 percent of Michigan jobs require digital skills, North Carolina gets $82 million in broadband funding, and more.

Anne Arundel County officials and members of the library system handed out more than 200 Chromebooks at the Linthicum library location as part of a program aiming to bridge digital and Internet access gaps.

A 113-page descriptive and prescriptive document from the U.S. Department of Education lays out a plan for the nation’s school districts to close the digital divide in how technology is designed, accessed and used.

Residents in northern Macomb County and the surrounding region could see increased broadband access in the near future due to the efforts of town and county officials and Internet service provider Comcast.

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides financial assistance to help low-income Americans connect to the Internet. But, without new appropriations, the program will soon run out of money.

Plus, federal agencies applaud preservation reviews for broadband infrastructure, a statewide survey shows a narrowing of the digital divide in California, and more.

Plus, a new fact sheet from the FCC looks at the future of the ACP; California launches a website to track infrastructure investment; the White House puts $80 million toward wireless innovation; and more.

The Latah County commissioners signed a resolution Tuesday giving jurisdictions across the area there new power to move forward with a large-scale broadband infrastructure project.

Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday announced a $10 million state grant to help deliver affordable broadband to every home in the city. The grant funds come from a wing of the Ohio Department of Development known as BroadbandOhio.

Efforts to extend broadband to unserved parts of the county are underway with the Cooke County Commissioners Court working on new language for a request for bids to provide better Internet service to underserved areas.

In the past two years, Outcomes Based Contracting worked with school districts in nine states to procure money-back guarantees from online tutoring providers. For 2024, the organization hopes to broaden its reach in K-12.

As Maryland works to fill gaps in Internet access, Gov. Wes Moore and local groups are focused on ensuring residents have digital literacy skills, technical support and broadband, especially in areas like Baltimore.

Construction is expected to begin this year on a project that will allow multiple Internet service providers to operate on the same infrastructure. The project will be financed through general obligation bonds.

The $418 million allocation includes contracts with Zearn, Ignite Reading and Lexia to help boost reading and math test scores. Elementary and middle school students statewide will have access to the added technology.

The university has put a new Digital Accessibility Policy in place to make digital resources more accessible to students with visual, auditory, cognitive and motor-control disabilities.

Plus, the federal government is strengthening its digital accessibility rules, the California Public Utilities Commission is investing in digital literacy, and more.