Digital Equity

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has discriminated against users by restricting who can view housing ads based on certain demographics. Now, the company is in the process of fixing it.

The Latah County Broadband Coalition will focus on addressing Internet infrastructure needs throughout the county with an emphasis on identifying federal, state and local funding streams to further connectivity goals.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot also put two leaders in charge of the effort, including a city data specialist reporting to her office. The new effort builds upon a push to give more students Internet access at their homes.

Plus, Texas has released its initial 2022 broadband plan; Kentucky is investing more than $200 million in high-speed Internet; the GSA has announced its first cohort of 40 U.S. Digital Corps fellows; and more.

An influx of federal funding for high-speed Internet has created an opportunity in Iowa that must be met, agriculture and business leaders in Iowa said during a roundtable discussion with the federal commerce department.

Through a collaboration between local ministries and RACE Communications, Williams Community Church is the first site with gigabit Internet in Colusa County, a step toward better Internet access in the rural community.

More Californians are gaining access to broadband Internet, but Black and Latino households still lag behind their white counterparts, according to an analysis of the latest available American Community Survey data.

Plus, Ohio announces a cohort of counties for its BroadbandOhio Community Accelerator program; the White House prepares to welcome the 2022 U.S. Digital Corps; seven new communities join U.S. Ignite; and more.

The Seattle Office of Economic Development has announced an expansion of the Digital Sales Access Program, which aims to help small businesses grow through access to technology tools and trainings.

The early results of a recent resident survey have highlighted at least two areas where Internet service is lacking. Crawford County has earmarked more than $3 million from recent federal funding to improve Internet access.

The Port of Columbia is near the end of a project to connect all homes in Dayton, Wash., and the surrounding areas of Columbia County to high-speed Internet service. Officials expect to offer service in early 2023.

Officials in the county are asking residents to check their level of Internet service against the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Map. Discrepancies and errors in the coverage map can be reported until June 13.

Onondaga County, N.Y., will issue a request for proposals asking Internet service providers how they plan to connect 1,500 rural residents with broadband service. The effort has a budget of $15 million.

Plus, the FCC proposes new rules for broadband funding and transparency; Philadelphia launches a single-phone-call learning campaign for adults; Baltimore establishes an office of infrastructure development; and more.

Maine has funded projects that will provide high-speed Internet to tens of thousands of homes that lack it now, but stiff competition for federal funding and economic problems may slow progress down.

Plus, the FCC has launched a new help center with tutorials for broadband data collection; a new USDR report details experience of applying for child-care benefits; Minnesota to invest $200 million in rural broadband; and more.

The federal government’s historic investment in broadband could fall short of its goals if it doesn’t improve digital skills. A leading expert explains the importance of digital human capital.

City officials recently signed a letter of intent with Meridiam to provide a minimum of 1 gigabit of broadband service. Construction on the fiber network is expected to begin this year.