Benton Institute for Broadband & Society - Data & Mapping

The Affordable Connectivity Program and Rural America

benton — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 17:38:37 +0000

Households in rural America are overcoming significant headwinds as they sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit at a higher rate than urban counterparts. Through April 2023, ACP enrollment data shows that: 15% of all rural households have enrolled in ACP and 14% of households in metro or urban areas have enrolled in the benefit. Even this modest difference is striking given the tensions that buffet rural residents as they consider enrolling in ACP. On the one hand, rural areas have characteristics that improve ACP enrollment according to the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society’s Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Performance Tool . Nearly half (49%) of rural households qualify for ACP compared with 40% of non-rural ones. This gap is largely because there are more lower income households in rural parts of the country. Some 36% of rural households have annual incomes at or below 200% of the Federal poverty level (FPL) in contrast to the 28% figure for households in non-rural areas. There is a positive correlation between areas with a large share of eligible households and ACP enrollment.

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

https://www.benton.org/blog/affordable-connectivity-program-and-rural-america

Teaser:

Some 230,000 more rural households have signed up for ACP than predicted

Source:

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Author:

John Horrigan

Send date:

Wed, 06/28/2023

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 6/27/2023

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Tue, 06/27/2023

Coverage Type:

Analysis

The Benton Institute ACP Performance Tool

benton — Tue, 02 May 2023 11:40:28 +0000

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is at an inflection point. Launched in early 2022, ACP provides 17 million households up to $30/month in subsidies to offset the cost of broadband. But the program faces two critical challenges. First, less than a third of eligible households currently participate in the program—mainly because the people who could benefit most from the subsidy are unaware that it exists. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), local governments, and digital equity groups are stepping up efforts to improve ACP awareness and participation. Targeted outreach is needed to inform these households about the ACP and could benefit from analysis of the patterns of ACP enrollment. Second, as successful as the program has been, ACP subsidies are at risk without Congressional action in the coming months. The initial ACP investment is dwindling which could mean the program will have to sunset in the next year. Analysis of enrollment patterns will show policymakers and advocates which places may suffer most from the program’s termination. The Benton Institute’s ACP Performance Tool is a resource for any community that wants to answer the question: “How are ACP sign-ups going?” To answer, search a 5-digit zip code on the tool’s website. The ACP Performance Tool returns results that show two important numbers for the zip code area: 1) how many households have signed up for ACP (from government data) and 2) the expected number of households enrolled.

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

https://www.benton.org/blog/benton-institute-acp-performance-tool

Teaser:

The Benton Institute’s ACP Performance Tool is a resource for any community that wants to answer the question: “How are ACP sign-ups going?”

Source:

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Author:

John Horrigan

Brian Whitacre

Hernan Galperin

Send date:

Tue, 05/02/2023

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 5/1/2023

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Tue, 05/02/2023

Coverage Type:

Research

Digital Equity/Digital Inclusion

Digital Divide

Federal Agency

Federal Communications Commission

Federal Broadband Programs

Affordable Connectivity Program (was Emergency Broadband Benefit Program)

Gov performance

Internet/Broadband

Data & Mapping

Affordability/Cost/Price

Adoption

Universal Broadband

Legislation

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Level of Government

Federal

Marginalized Populations

Low-income

Research

Headlines Specific Topic:

Benton Foundation

Understanding and Driving Enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program

dclay@benton.org — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 16:59:03 +0000

Fitting the monthly cost of a broadband subscription into a low-income household budget is difficult, to say the least, because of the costs of competing necessities like lodging, food, and healthcare. These financial pressures—and unexpected expenses—keep too many people in the U.S. from subscribing to home broadband service—or cause them to drop service at times to make ends meet. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress recognized these obstacles for low-income people and created a program—first called the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program—to reduce the monthly costs of connectivity. With passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November 2021, Congress turned the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit Program into a longer-term subsidy. Launched in January 2022 with $14.2 billion in funding, the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a critical component of the ongoing federal investment in broadband adoption. Eligible households receive $30/month (and up to $75/month on Tribal lands) to defray the cost of internet service, as well as up to $100 towards the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. On January 18, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society hosted a panel discussion on ACP enrollment. Drew Garner, the State Broadband Policy Advisor at Common Sense Media, moderated the panel. He began the discussion by noting the three steps low-income households must complete before they begin enjoying ACP benefits: first, they must confirm that their household is eligible to participate in the program; then they must complete an application to be enrolled in ACP; and, finally, they must choose an internet service provider and pick a plan to subscribe to.

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

https://www.benton.org/blog/understanding-and-driving-enrollment-affordable-conn…

Teaser:

Despite its success, ACP observers estimate that the program will run out of current funding by mid-2024, thus digital equity advocates must convince Congress to fund the program for low-income households.

Source:

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Author:

Kevin Taglang

Send date:

Fri, 01/20/2023

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 1/19/2023

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Thu, 01/19/2023

Coverage Type:

Analysis

FCC Releases New National Broadband Maps

benton — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 15:10:06 +0000

The Federal Communications Commission released a pre-production draft of its new National Broadband Map. The map will display specific location-level information about broadband services available throughout the country – a significant step forward from the census block level data previously collected. This release of the draft map kicks off the public challenge processes that will play a critical role in improving the accuracy of the map. An accurate map is an important resource for targeting funding and other efforts to bring broadband to unserved and underserved communities. The public will be able to view the maps at broadbandmap.fcc.gov and search for their address to see information about the fixed and mobile services that internet providers report are available there. If the fixed internet services shown are not available at the user’s location, they may file a challenge with the FCC directly through the map interface to correct the information. Map users will also be able correct information about their location and add their location to the map if it is missing. The draft map will also allow users to view the mobile wireless coverage reported by cellular service providers.

The FCC also announced the launch of an updated version of the FCC Speed Test App that will enable users to quickly compare the performance and coverage of their mobile networks to that reported by their provider. The app allows users to submit their mobile speed test data in support of a challenge to a wireless service provider’s claimed coverage. New users can download the FCC Speed Test App in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Existing app users should update the app to gain these new features.

Benton Content:

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-releases-new-national-broadband-maps

Teaser:

A pre-production draft of the FCC's new National Broadband Map

Source:

Federal Communications Commission

Send date:

Mon, 11/21/2022

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 11/18/2022

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Fri, 11/18/2022

Coverage Type:

Public Notice

Digital Divide

Federal Agency

Federal Communications Commission

Federal Broadband Programs

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Level of Government

Federal

Status Update: Mapping Where Broadband Is—and Is Not—Available in the US

benton — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 18:41:06 +0000

For as long as people have been talking about the digital divide, there have been complaints that we lack detailed maps to tell us exactly where broadband is—and is not—available. I wanted to give people a brief of the latest key developments:

We opened our new system to collect information from over 2,500 broadband providers on precisely where they provide broadband services. Why it matters: This marks the beginning of our window to collect location-by-location data from providers that we will use to build the map.
We’ve built the framework for a common dataset of locations in the United States where fixed broadband service can be installed. Why it matters: This new location dataset, called the “Fabric,” will serve as the foundation upon which all fixed broadband availability data will be reported and overlaid in our new broadband availability maps.
We’ve established consistent parameters that require broadband providers to submit data on availability using individually geocoded locations. Why it matters: Geocoded data will allow us to create a highly precise picture of fixed broadband deployment, unlike previous data collections, which focused on census blocks, giving us inaccurate, incomplete maps.
The FCC has launched a new online help center, with dedicated staff providing technical assistance, online video tutorials and webinars explaining the data submission process, and resources for consumers, internet service providers, states, localities, and Tribes seeking assistance with submissions. Why it matters: Our broadband maps are only as good as the data we collect, and this support will help make sure the Commission gets the data we need, the way we need it.
Our maps are built to improve. We are making the maps accessible to challenges by states, Tribal and local entities, and consumers. Why it matters: Earlier broadband maps relied exclusively on data collected from broadband providers, leaving key stakeholders without an easy mechanism to challenge and improve maps that were missing data or mischaracterized broadband coverage. The best map is one that improves over time with everyone’s experiences baked in.

Benton Content:

https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/notes/2022/06/30/status-update-mapping-where-bro…

Teaser:

A progress report of the FCC's broadband mapping efforts

Source:

Federal Communications Commission

Author:

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel

Send date:

Tue, 07/05/2022

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 7/1/2022

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Fri, 07/01/2022

Coverage Type:

Growth in EBB Enrollment since June has been in Large Cities and Places with Low Broadband Adoption

Grace Tepper — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 15:29:16 +0000

Since the Emergency Broadband Benefit launched in May 2021, enrollment has grown steadily. By the end of June, 3.1 million households had enrolled, a figure that rose to 7.4 million by the beginning of November. Analysis of the geography of this growth shows that it was not evenly distributed. South Florida, Detroit, Chicago, and New York City have all seen very strong growth in enrollment since June. In the Los Angeles area, more than 100,000 additional households have signed up since then. At the same time, the general pattern of enrollment indicates that places most in need of the Emergency Broadband Benefit (that is, those with low home broadband adoption rates) have the highest rates of households signing up for the benefit. These findings indicate that demand is strong for programs such as the Affordable Connectivity Program created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, affordability struggles are real, and that outreached and improved eligibility processes can make a difference to participation. Focusing on these administrative details is the challenge for the FCC to meet as it plans the rollout of the Affordable Connectivity Program.

[John Horrigan is a Benton Senior Fellow and a national expert on technology adoption, digital inclusion, and evaluating the outcomes and impacts of programs designed to promote communications technology adoption and use.]

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

https://www.benton.org/blog/growth-emergency-broadband-benefit-enrollment-june-h…

Teaser:

Emergency Broadband Benefit enrollment findings indicate that demand is strong for programs such as the Affordable Connectivity Program created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Source:

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Author:

John Horrigan

Send date:

Fri, 11/19/2021

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 11/18/2021

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Thu, 11/18/2021

Coverage Type:

Affordability/Cost/Price

Data & Mapping

Infrastructure

First Awards Distributed Under Economic Development Administration’s American Rescue Plan Programs

benton — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 20:14:18 +0000

The US Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration has begun awarding its historic $3 billion in American Rescue Plan funds to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks. EDA awarded $24 million in grants to states and territories across the nation for statewide planning efforts to boost economic development, enhance US competitiveness, combat the climate crisis, and recover from the pandemic. EDA will fund a variety of activities among which the State may choose one or more to fund, including supporting statewide broadband data collection and mapping efforts and developing statewide broadband deployment and technical assistance plans.

All 59 states and territories have been invited to apply for a $1 million grant through EDA’s Statewide Planning program—one of six programs EDA developed to equitably distribute its $3 billion in American Rescue Plan funding. These are the first EDA American Rescue Plan grants announced; the remainder being disbursed in the coming weeks and months. First awards are to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Benton Content:

https://eda.gov/news/press-releases/2021/10/21/arp-awards.htm

Teaser:

Funds can support statewide broadband data collection and mapping efforts and developing statewide broadband deployment and technical assistance plans

Source:

Economic Development Administration

Send date:

Mon, 10/25/2021

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 10/22/2021

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Fri, 10/22/2021

Coverage Type:

Headlines Specific Topic:

Coronavirus and Connectivity

Consumer Reports launches Broadband Together — a nationwide search for the truth about your internet service

benton — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 11:39:52 +0000

In a first-of-its-kind effort, the Broadband Together initiative is asking people across the country to share their monthly internet bills — so we can find out what we’re really getting for our money, and advocate for a better internet that costs less. Consumer Reports is asking thousands of consumers to share their monthly internet bills at broadbandtogether.org so CR can analyze the cost, quality, and speeds that are being delivered to people in communities across the US, and to better understand the factors that affect price and why consumers pay different rates for the same service. The findings from this major initiative will help CR in its effort to press internet service providers and government officials to deliver greater access to fair, affordable, reliable internet services. In a recent CR survey, 76 percent of Americans say that internet service is as important as electricity and running water in today’s world, and 86% say they rely on the internet at least five days a week.

CR is working with a broad coalition of partners to examine these issues by asking thousands of consumers to share information about the quality and cost of their internet connection. The diverse coalition includes more than 40 organizations across the country that have partnered together for this critical initiative. The Broadband Together steering committee includes Access Now, American Library Association, Amerind, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, BroadbandNow, Color of Change, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, mLab, National Digital Inclusion Alliance, New America’s Open Technology Institute, Public Knowledge, Rural Assembly, Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association, and The X-Lab @ PSU.

Benton Content:

https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/cr-broadband-together/

https://www.theverge.com/22574103/internet-bill-equity-verge-consumer-reports-pa…

https://www.axios.com/broadband-cost-internet-service-biden-e5d5f1c5-d298-40e2-8…

Teaser:

This project is funded in part by the generosity of Craig Newmark Philanthropies and the Ford Foundation

Source:

Consumer Reports

Vox

Author:

Jonathan Schwantes

Send date:

Tue, 07/13/2021

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 7/12/2021

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Tue, 07/13/2021

Coverage Type:

Press Release

Internet/Broadband

Affordability/Cost/Price

Data & Mapping

Research

Headlines Specific Topic:

Benton Foundation

Counties: The Missing Pieces in the Broadband Puzzle

Grace Tepper — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 19:25:27 +0000

At least in the state of Virginia, counties are rural, yet they have been left out of the design of broadband deployment and the conversation around rural broadband. Nevertheless, they are a crucial part of the local broadband story, and their support can go a long way in bridging the digital divide. In this article, we offer preliminary analysis of a question about broadband deployment. We launched the Virginia County Broadband Survey to better understand what counties across the Commonwealth of Virginia are doing to close the digital divide in their communities, and how broadband factors into their policy plans for the year. The inspiration for this research is found in the ongoing recognition by policymakers and researchers about the role of states and communities in broadband planning, funding, and deployment. As the interface between states and municipalities, we hypothesize that counties play, and will continue to play, an increasingly crucial role in broadband deployment. We asked counties to self-report broadband coverage levels at 25/3 Mbps, 50/10 Mbps, and 100/20 Mbps (respectively). The results were troubling, if unsurprising: massive inconsistencies between self-reported broadband deployment and the data provided by the Federal Communications Commissions.

There are three major takeaways from this early analysis of data from the Virginia County Broadband Survey:

While states and municipalities have been highlighting as key stakeholders in broadband planning and deployment, the role of counties has, until now, been underappreciated by policymakers and broadband researchers.
The FCC’s data continue to fail in terms of delivering a trustworthy and accurate representation of broadband deployment in the United States.
County officials know their communities – we need to trust them and bring them to the table when discussing broadband deployment plans at both the state and local levels.

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

https://www.benton.org/blog/counties-missing-pieces-broadband-puzzle

Teaser:

The Virginia County Broadband Survey shows that counties are a crucial part of the local broadband story and can help bridge the digital divide.

Source:

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Author:

Christopher Ali

Abby Simmerman

Nicholas Lansing

Send date:

Tue, 06/15/2021

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 6/14/2021

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Mon, 06/14/2021

Coverage Type:

On Democracy, Unity, & Broadband

benton — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 12:32:14 +0000

Probably like you, I made sure to make time to watch the Inauguration on January 20. Whenever a President is sworn in, his Inauguration speech sets the tone for his entire Administration. On January 20, I heard a celebration of democracy – and a call that, in the midst of the pandemic, economic disparity, racial inequity, and a climate in crisis, “unity is our path forward.” In our American democracy, we are called upon to inform ourselves, form our own opinions, and contribute to the debate so we can decide together what is best for our communities and our nation. The call for unity requires us to accept that there are differences, to reach the end of a debate, and to accept the decisions made in our democratic process. E pluribus unum. Although we have many voices, we remain one. Without that commitment to each other, our democracy dies, our nation fails. At the Benton Institute, we are not for broadband for broadband’s stake. We see it as the infrastructure of opportunity—an essential tool to ensure a thriving democracy. Inspired by the Inaugural and with Benton’s overarching goal in mind, I offer today our recommendations to ensure that everyone in the U.S. can use High-Performance Broadband. In the spirit of community, we share today not just Benton’s recommendations to bring broadband to all, but the great suggestions from groups around the country that have informed our thinking.

[Adrianne B. Furniss is the Executive Director of the Benton Foundation]

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

https://www.benton.org/blog/democracy-unity-broadband

Teaser:

We see broadband as the infrastructure of opportunity—an essential tool to ensure a thriving democracy.

Source:

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Author:

Adrianne Furniss

Send date:

Wed, 01/27/2021