Benton Institute for Broadband & Society - California

California Is Spending Billions On ‘Broadband For All,’ But Critics Say It Will Not Lower Internet Prices

zwalker@benton.org — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 20:58:06 +0000

Californians spend an average of $84 per month to connect to the internet—and some of the most vulnerable groups, including older adults, veterans and people with disabilities, tend to pay even more. So the state is spending billions of dollars to make broadband more affordable and available under its Broadband for All plan. It’s creating a new public backbone network called the “middle-mile” across 10,000 miles of California, and offering funding for companies to build the "last mile," the final leg of the network that brings service to your home. The idea is that increased competition will force the large internet companies to drop their rates. But LAist has found that large internet providers are also applying for those billions of dollars of government funding, hoping to use it to expand their service territory into underserved areas. However, they largely do not plan to connect to the state’s public network. Instead, companies want to use their own already-built middle mile infrastructure, which gives them control over prices. Without that element of competition, some say internet bills would likely stay the same or even increase.

Benton Content:

https://laist.com/news/california-broadband-affordability-plan-applications

Teaser:

California is spending billions of taxpayer dollars on a plan to make broadband more affordable and available—will it be enough?

Source:

LAist

Author:

Nereida Moreno

Send date:

Wed, 04/24/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/23/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Tue, 04/23/2024

Coverage Type:

Marginalized Populations

Individuals who are Members of a Racial or Ethnic Minority Group

Individuals who primarily Reside in a Rural Area

Low-income

Seniors/Aging Individuals

‘The Internet Is Everything'. What It’s Like To Parent When You Don’t Have Basic Computer Skills

zwalker@benton.org — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 21:22:52 +0000

Up until last year, Nancy Navarro didn’t know how to check her kids’ grades or schedule online appointments. She had Wi-Fi at home so her 15 and 11-year-old kids could do their homework on their school-issued laptops, but she wasn’t online herself very often. But then she noticed that her kids’ school was offering free digital training classes through the local nonprofit EveryoneOn, which aims to connect as many underserved people as possible on the internet. Navarro took the class and learned how to identify spam, use Google docs and other basic computer tasks. She was also given a free Chromebook from the organization, which will allow her to keep practicing at home. Navarro's experience is reflected in a new pilot study conducted by EveryOne CEO Norma Fernandez. The research explores what’s motivating underserved Latina and Black women in L.A., along with women from Milwaukee and the Bay Area, to pursue digital skills training, and details some of the challenges they face along the way. It was published by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. Fernandez says very little is known about the intimate experiences of women, and specially women of color, who don’t have access to the internet or personal devices. “I really wanted to glean a more layered understanding of the digital divide from their perspective,” Fernandez said. “They’re the folks who are sitting at the center of the [the issue] and therefore experts on how to solve it,” she said.

Benton Content:

https://laist.com/news/the-internet-is-everything-what-its-like-to-parent-when-y…

Teaser:

EveryoneOn CEO Norma Fernandez wanted to learn more about women of color's experiences as part of the digital divide

Source:

LAist

Author:

Nereida Moreno

Send date:

Tue, 04/16/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/15/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Mon, 04/15/2024

Coverage Type:

Reporting

Digital Equity/Digital Inclusion

Marginalized Populations

Individuals who are Members of a Racial or Ethnic Minority Group

Individuals with a Language Barrier

Research

Headlines Specific Topic:

Benton Foundation

FCC won’t block California net neutrality law, says states can “experiment”

zwalker@benton.org — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 21:33:08 +0000

California can keep enforcing its state net neutrality law after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) implements its own rules. The FCC could preempt future state laws if they go far beyond the national standard but said that states can "experiment" with different regulations for interconnection payments and zero-rating. The FCC scheduled an April 25 vote on Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel's proposal to restore net neutrality rules similar to the ones introduced during the Obama era and repealed under former President Trump. The FCC released the text of the pending order, which could still be changed but isn't likely to get any major overhaul. State-level enforcement of net neutrality rules can benefit consumers, the FCC said. The order said that "state enforcement generally supports our regulatory efforts by dedicating additional resources to monitoring and enforcement, especially at the local level, and thereby ensuring greater compliance with our requirements."

Benton Content:

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/04/fcc-wont-block-california-net-neutra…

Teaser:

State enforcement makes providers more likely to comply, FCC says

Source:

Ars Technica

Author:

Jon Brodkin

Send date:

Mon, 04/08/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/5/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Fri, 04/05/2024

Coverage Type:

Reporting

Agenda

Upcoming policy issue

Federal Agency

Federal Communications Commission

Internet/Broadband

Regulatory classification

Level of Government

Federal

Network Neutrality

California's Digital Equity Plan Accepted

benton — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 18:26:04 +0000

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted California’s Digital Equity plan. Using $4,001,520.00 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, California created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state.

Benton Content:

https://www.internetforall.gov/news-media/californias-digital-equity-plan-accept…

Teaser:

California created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state

Source:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Send date:

Wed, 04/03/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/2/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Tue, 04/02/2024

Coverage Type:

Press Release

Over 100 Years After Electrification: Will California Lead the Way to Internet as a Public Utility?

zwalker@benton.org — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 21:07:17 +0000

The Affordable Connectivity Program is ending and California has a monumental, once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead our communities into a new era of equitable affordable connectivity, not unlike the electrification of the United States in the early-to-mid 1900s. Internet affordability in California, like much of the country, relies on the goodwill of profit-driven Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and family enrollment in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a subsidy program whose funds are set to run out in the coming months, which was never designed to be a long-term affordability solution. Despite not having a public utility designation, broadband infrastructure projects in California are overseen by both the California Department of Technology and the California Public Utilities Commission, similar to other utilities but without the protections for communities that a utility classification could provide. When ACP enrollment is no longer an option, the state will be faced with a challenge: How will we ensure that communities continue to have access to a resource upon which our basic needs depend? How do we avoid placing the most vulnerable California households in the position of having to decide between paying their internet bill or their water and gas? Our hope is that broadband internet as a public utility will be seen as both an option and an opportunity for California to once again pave the way for the rest of the country.

Benton Content:

https://20mm.org/2024/03/19/over-100-years-after-electrification-will-california…

Teaser:

Our hope is that broadband internet as a public utility will be seen as both an option and an opportunity for California to once again pave the way for the rest of the country

Source:

Michelson 20MM

Author:

Cristal Mojica

Send date:

Thu, 03/21/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 3/20/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Wed, 03/20/2024

Coverage Type:

Analysis

Agenda

Upcoming policy issue

Federal Agency

Federal Communications Commission

Federal Broadband Programs

Affordable Connectivity Program (was Emergency Broadband Benefit Program)

Internet/Broadband

Affordability/Cost/Price

Legislation

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Level of Government

Federal

State

Marginalized Populations

Low-income

California PUC Will Accept Loan Loss Reserve Program Applications

benton — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 15:50:25 +0000

California's Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund is a $500 million fund that provides a credit enhancement related to the financing of local broadband infrastructure development. The reserve fund expands the ability of local governments, tribes and non-profits to secure financing for building last-mile projects, with an emphasis on public broadband networks. The Fund will provide collateral to local governments to enable more favorable borrowing rates and terms for bonds issued to deploy broadband infrastructure. The Fund was established in 2021. The benefits of the Fund include:

Public broadband infrastructure can be a cost-effective and revenue-generating solution for providing high-speed broadband in communities with limited or no broadband access that improves access, lowers costs, and improves customer service
Providing authority to enable local governments to participate in CPUC programs, issue bonds, and acquire, construct, improve, and maintain broadband infrastructure
Borrowed funding would be returned through the operating funds of a last-mile project upon maturity

The Loan Loss Reserve Program will accept applications from Tuesday, March 12, 2024, through Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

Benton Content:

https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/internet-and-phone/broadband-imple…

Teaser:

The Loan Loss Reserve Program will accept applications from Tuesday, March 12, 2024, through Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

Source:

California Public Utilities Commission

Send date:

Wed, 03/06/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 3/5/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Tue, 03/05/2024

Coverage Type:

California Public Utilities Commission Delivers $7 Million Boost for High-Speed Internet Projects in Rural Communities

zwalker@benton.org — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 18:34:42 +0000

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) delivered a $7 million boost for high-speed internet projects in rural communities across the state. The newest multi-million-dollar grant award is a continuation of the CPUC’s work to support California’s Broadband For All initiative. Funding will go to three projects:

Equal Access Summits to the Sea Project (Up to $5.65 million): This initiative enables Cruzio Media, Inc. to construct a middle-mile and last-mile broadband network that will bring high speed internet service to unserved households in Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties.
ConnectAnza Phase 3 Project ($688,431): Anza Electric Cooperative, Inc. will place 3.74 linear miles of fiber on existing poles to construct a fiber-to-the-home project to help bring broadband access to San Jacinto Mountain communities. Through approval of a deviation from CPUC rules governing the placement of overhead facilities within designated State Scenic Highways, CPUC staff will now release the funds for the project that were allocated on Nov. 30, 2023.
Mobile Home Park 1 Project (Up to $889,083): The CPUC’s actions enable Kwikbit Internet, Inc. to deploy a fixed wireless network to bring high-speed internet service to 197 unserved households located within four Manufactured Home Parks in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego Counties.

Benton Content:

https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/news-and-updates/all-news/cpuc-delivers-7-million-boost-…

Teaser:

Newest multi-million dollar grant award supports California’s Broadband for All Initiative

Source:

California Public Utilities Commission

Send date:

Mon, 03/04/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 3/1/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Fri, 03/01/2024

Coverage Type:

Testimony: California’s K–12 Digital Divide Has Narrowed, but Access Gaps Persist

zwalker@benton.org — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 21:19:43 +0000

The COVID-19 pandemic made digital access an educational necessity and highlighted California’s longstanding digital divide—defined as disparities in reliable access to internet and digital devices. In spring 2020, when schools shifted abruptly to distance learning, only 68% of households with school-age children had reliable access to digital devices. As a result of federal, state, and local efforts, 82% of households had reliable device access by fall 2020, with the greatest gains among low-income households, households without any college graduates, and Black and Latino households. Federal and state governments enacted major policy initiatives to lower barriers to access during the pandemic. In the interest of time, I will highlight three such initiatives:

The FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), created in 2021. The ECF provides $7.2 billion to help schools and libraries provide internet or devices to students and school staff
The FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. Created in February 2021, EBB provides $3.2 billion to help eligible households connect to the internet. The program was replaced in November 2021 by the $14 billion Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to connect households for work, school, health care and other services.
California State Senate Bill (SB) 156 allocated $6 billion to increase equitable, affordable access to high-speed internet.

Benton Content:

https://www.ppic.org/blog/testimony-californias-k-12-digital-divide-has-narrowed…

Teaser:

Public Policy Institute of California Senior Fellow Niu Gao's testimony before the Assembly Education Committee on “Meeting the Post-Pandemic Academic, Well-Being, and Technology Needs of California Students”

Source:

Public Policy Institute of California

Author:

Niu Gao

Send date:

Thu, 02/22/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 2/21/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Wed, 02/21/2024

Coverage Type:

Speech

What's Your State's Digital Equity Plan?

benton — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 12:00:23 +0000

Monday, February 12, 2024

Digital Beat

What's Your State's Digital Equity Plan?

Tepper

To achieve true digital equity, deploying broadband to every household in the United States will not be enough. What is also needed are robust, comprehensive programs that address the human side of closing the digital divide and ensuring everyone has access to the technologies, skills, and opportunities necessary to thrive.

Digital equity is fundamentally concerned with promoting full participation in the digital economy and society by all. Achievement of digital equity requires strategic investments in human and community capacity.

Over the last seven months and with funding from the Digital Equity Act's State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have released draft digital equity plans for public review and comment.

Prior to these efforts, only California had developed a statewide digital equity plan. By creating their own plans, states can identify barriers to digital equity and outline specific measures aimed at addressing those barriers. Once these plans are approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), states will be able to apply for funds from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program to implement those plans. NTIA required each plan to include a clear description of the state’s vision for digital equity in the context of its overarching strategy and goals.

The focus of the plans is...

The availability of, and affordability of access to, fixed and wireless broadband technology;
The online accessibility and inclusivity of public resources and services;
Digital literacy;
Awareness of, and the use of, measures to secure the online privacy of, and cybersecurity with respect to, an individual; and
The availability and affordability of consumer devices and technical support for those devices.

...and how these objectives impact and interact with states':

Economic and workforce development goals, plans, and outcomes;
Educational outcomes;
Health outcomes;
Civic and social engagement; and
Delivery of other essential services.

Congress intended that the plans specifically address the barriers to digital equity faced by eight covered populations, including:

My team at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society has been reviewing the draft plans and providing brief summaries. Today we note that we've published summaries of all 52 plans and are sharing links to each of them below.

Plan Summary	State Office
Envisioning a Connected, Interconnected Alabama	Alabama Department for Economic an Community Affairs
Alaska's Plan to Address Broadband Adversity	Alaska Broadband Office
Centering Communities in Arizona's Digital Equity Plan	Arizona Commerce Authority
Developing Digital Skills and Opportunity in Arkansas	Arkansas State Broadband Office (ARConnect)
A New Chapter of Digital Equity Work in California	California Department of Technology
Coloradans at the Heart of State's Digital Access Plan	Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Everyone Connected: Connecticut's Digital Equity Plan	Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Commission for Educational Technology
A Plan for Digital Equity in Delaware	Delaware Broadband Office
Florida's Roadmap for Closing the Digital Divide	Office of Broadband
Georgia's Plan for Digital Connectivity	Georgia Technology Authority
Aloha Spirit Inspires Hawai'i Digital Equity Plan	Hawai'i Broadband and Digital Equity Office at University of Hawai'i
A Digital Access Plan for All Idahoans	Idaho Commission for Libraries
The Plan for a Connected Illinois	Illinois Office of Broadband, Illinois Extension
A Plan to Transform Indiana's Digital Equity Landscape	Indiana Broadband Office
Addressing Digital Equity Needs in Iowa	Division of Information Technology
A Digital Equity Plan to Connect All Kansans	Office of Broadband Development
Kentucky Pursues Full and Equitable Digital Access for All	Department of Workforce Development
A Look at Louisiana's Draft Digital Equity Plan	Louisiana Office of Broadband Development & Connectivity (ConnectLA)
Maine's Vision of Digital Equity	Maine Connectivity Authority
Equity for the Digital Age: Maryland's Plan	Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband
Massachusetts' Unified Vision of Digital Equity	Massachusetts Broadband Institute
Communities Know Communities Best: Michigan's Digital Equity Plan	Michigan High Speed Internet Office
What a Digitally Equitable Minnesota Could Look Like—And How to Get There	Minnesota Office of Broadband Development
Digital Skills and Accessibility in Mississippi	Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM)
Missouri Pursues Sustainable Digital Opportunity Initiatives	Missouri Department of Economic Development
Montana's Digital Opportunity Plan	Montana Broadband Office
Creating Digital Opportunity in Nebraska	Nebraska Information Technology Commission
The Plan for Closing Nevada’s Digital Divide	Office of Science, Innovation and Technology
Equitable Participation in Today's Digital World: New Hampshire's Plan	New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs \| National Collaborative for Digital Equity (NCDE) \| University of New Hampshire Extension \| Digital Equity Research Center (DERC)
A Plan for Connecting New Jersey	NJ Office of Broadband & Connectivity
New Mexico's Plan for an Inclusive and Prosperous Society	Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE)
In a New York State of Digital Equity	ConnectALL
A Vision and a Mission for Digital Equity in North Carolina	North Carolina Department of Information Technology, Division of Broadband and Digital Equity
North Dakota's Collective Approach to Digital Equity	North Dakota Information Technology
Achieving a Digitally Inclusive Ohio	BroadbandOhio
Fulfilling Oklahoma's Digital Promise	Oklahoma Broadband Office
Oregon's Plan for Meaningful Broadband Access	Oregon Broadband Office
Connected and Empowered: A Digital Equity Plan for Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority
¡Su opinión cuenta! Puerto Rico Releases Initial Draft of Digital Equity Plan \| ¡Su Opinión Cuenta! Puerto Rico Pública el Borrador Inicial del Plan de Equidad Digital	Puerto Rico Broadband Program
A Wholistic Digital Equity Plan for Rhode Island	ConnectRI – the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation
Creating a Foundation of Digital Equity in South Carolina	Digital Opportunity Department
South Dakota's Plan to Leverage Digital Equity to Reach Economic Goals	Office of Economic Development
Tennessee Drafts a Digital Opportunity Plan	Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Guiding Texas' Digital Opportunity Investments	Texas Broadband Development Office
Achieving Digital Independence in Utah	Utah Broadband Center
Developing Digital Equity Solutions in Vermont	Vermont Community Broadband Board
Connectivity in the Commonwealth: Virginia's Plan	Department of Housing and Community Development
Washington State Sets Digital Equity Goals	Washington State Broadband Office
Working Towards Digital Equity in DC	DC Office of the Chief Technology Officer's (OCTO) State Broadband and Digital Equity Office
West Virginia's Plan to Conquer the Digital Divide	West Virginia Department of Economic Development
Wisconsin's Digital Equity Values	Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Wyoming Seeks Feedback on Digital Access Plan	Wyoming Broadband Office

Grace Tepper is the Senior Writing Associate at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities.

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Kevin Taglang
Executive Editor, Communications-related Headlines
Benton Institute
for Broadband & Society
1041 Ridge Rd, Unit 214
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-220-4531
headlines AT benton DOT org

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Series:

State Profiles

52 Visions of Digital Equity—Your State Has One

benton — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 12:00:08 +0000

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Digital Beat

52 Visions of Digital Equity—Your State Has One

What's Your State's Vision of Digital Equity?

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have drafted their digital equity plans and sought public input on how to improve their strategies to ensure that every community has the capacity needed for full participation in our increasingly connectivity-dependent society, democracy, and economy. As part of their plans, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has asked states to provide a clear, specific picture of their visions for digital equity. The idea is to describe what success looks like, inform strategies, serve as a guide for setting goals and objectives, and determine the activities the state will prioritize in the Digital Equity Plan.

NTIA required that all digital equity visions address at least these two questions:

What will digital equity look like in the context of your state?
What are the broad goals that should be accomplished in executing this plan (e.g., improve rural health outcomes, increase underrepresented youth employment in technology-related fields)?

As states and their communities evaluate draft visions of digital equity, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society offers this checklist to help guide reenvisioning a state's goals for universal connectivity—visions that go beyond where wires can reach to where our communities can go if we're all connected.

Below are the draft visions of each of the states, DC, and Puerto Rico. This might be your first opportunity to see all these visions together, to compare and contrast them, and consider how your state's vision stacks up against the rest.

Alabama: To meet the needs of our 21st-century economy, the State of Alabama envisions a connected, interconnected future. In that envisioned future, all Alabamians—including those who are not currently connected or who face other barriers to digital opportunity—will have the opportunity to benefit from broadband internet, for purposes of economic opportunity, education, healthcare, and all the other ways the internet offers digital opportunity.

Alaska: Every Alaskan, as part of their quality of life, will have the digital tools, access, and skills to affordably participate online, wherever they are.

Arizona: A digitally equitable and inclusive Arizona where every Arizonan, regardless of their location or circumstance, has affordable, high-speed reliable internet and the tools, digital skills, and resources needed to thrive in the digital age.

Arkansas: By 2030, every person, family, and community in Arkansas–regardless of location and income–will have access to: 1) Affordable, reliable high-speed internet service in their homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions 2) The opportunity to enroll in basic computer skills training, 3) A computer, tablet, or mobile device. [follow the link for more]

California: A California in which all residents have access to high-performance broadband, affordable service and devices, and the training and support necessary to enable digital inclusion for economic and other social benefits.

Colorado: Every Coloradan has the connectivity, devices, and skills they need to thrive in our digital society and economy by 2028.

Connecticut: Connecticut’s vision for digital equity is for all residents to flourish across every aspect of life—from learning, working, and civic engagement to general well-being—with the assistance of technology tools and skills.

Delaware: The State of Delaware envisions a future where every individual, regardless of their location or background, has full access to high-speed internet connectivity and the tools necessary to harness its transformative potential. In this vision, urban and rural communities alike can fully participate in the digital economy.

District of Columbia: Every resident, every business, in every corner of DC can live, work, and thrive in the digital age—without bias or barriers.

Florida: The Florida Office of Broadband envisions a future where every Floridian benefits from a connected economy through the meaningful use of high-speed Internet—to enhance educational and employment opportunities, access telehealth, and engage with families, and local communities.

Georgia: Our vision for a fully connected Georgia is to ensure that every Georgian has reliable and affordable access to the internet along with the necessary tools and skills to unlock opportunities for educational advancement, economic success, improved health, and strengthened social ties.

Hawaii: All who call Hawai'i home have the confidence, ability, and pathways to thrive in a digital world.

Idaho: Idaho’s vision is to support all residents in thriving online through: 1) Digital literacy, cybersecurity, and technical support – providing curated tools and resources to Idahoans to increase digital skills and online safety. 2) Public services and resources – improving accessibility for Idahoans to connect and engage with local and state services. 3) Affordable broadband and devices – ensuring Idahoans have broadband and internet-enabled devices that fulfill their unique work, school, and life needs.

Illinois: Connect Illinois seeks to (A) ensure universal access to high-speed broadband that is affordable, reliable, and fully scalable for residences, businesses, and community anchor institutions (CAIs) across Illinois. At the same time, Connect Illinois plans to promote digital literacy, adoption, and inclusion while leveraging investment in new broadband infrastructure to spur advances in economic development, as well as innovation in healthcare delivery, education, and agriculture. At its core, the push toward universal access to high-speed broadband infrastructure is one of broadband equity: targeting resources to close gaps and expand opportunity for unserved and underserved communities throughout Illinois. The Connect Illinois digital equity programming and collaborations are a comprehensive approach designed to ensure the state (B) leverages new and existing resources for adoption through targeted digital inclusion strategies and sustainable broadband equity outcomes to help communities identify and address existing broadband equity gaps, and to (C) empower all Illinoisans to utilize and participate fully in an increasingly digital economy and society.

Indiana: Indiana residents trust and use innovative connectivity for improved quality of life, resulting in inclusive and resilient communities that ensure opportunities for all.

Iowa: All Iowans will have access to affordable high-speed broadband internet, useful devices, and the training and support in order to participate, contribute, and thrive in society.

Kansas: Ensure all Kansans can enjoy their universal rights to education, healthcare, employment, social services, and participation in the digital economy at home. These rights hinge on equitable access to quality and reliable high-speed broadband at affordable prices, the training required to support digital skills, and the devices and sustainable technical assistance needed to strive and thrive across the entire state.

Kentucky: Kentucky will be a place where all individuals, businesses, and communities have full and equitable digital access to pursue economic and personal opportunities.

Louisiana: Louisiana’s vision is that digital equity will be achieved for all residents and communities.

Maine: We envision a Maine where all of us, especially those traditionally underserved and facing more barriers to being connected, can take full advantage of the economic, educational, health, civic, social and other benefits that reliable, affordable, high-speed broadband can provide. By connecting everyone and ensuring that Mainers have the support and resources to realize the benefits of that connectivity fully, we can ensure there is a place for everyone to thrive in our economy and communities.

Maryland: The State of Maryland envisions a future where every individual, regardless of their location or background, has full access to high-speed internet connectivity and the tools necessary to harness its transformative potential.

Massachusetts: Every resident in Massachusetts has high-speed, high-quality internet availability and can confidently adopt and use the internet regardless of who they are or where they live. This universal connectivity will ensure that everyone has the support they need to enjoy full personal, civic, and economic digital participation throughout their lives with safety and security.

Michigan: The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office envisions a connected and inclusive state where every resident has an affordable high-speed internet connection available to them regardless of where they live, how much money they make, or what they look like.

Minnesota: A future where digital equity connects all Minnesota residents to opportunities, options, and each other.

Mississippi: Mississippi’s vision includes broadband accessibility for all citizens with numerous pathways for continued learning so all can partake of the incredible opportunities available in this digital age.

Missouri: The Missouri Office of Broadband Development strives every day to realize the vision of a Missouri where every citizen, regardless of their financial, geographic or demographic background, has access to the complete set of digital skills, technology, and resources necessary to realize their full potential within the digital economy.

Montana: The Montana Broadband Office’s vision is to narrow the digital divide in support of Montana’s economic, workforce, health, and educational goals by ensuring reliable, affordable internet access for all Montanans.

Nebraska: Nebraska will grow its economy and improve the lives of Nebraskans by ensuring that Nebraskans have access to affordable, quality broadband, appropriate devices and the skills to use technologies at home, in school, on the farm or ranch, in businesses, in health care, and in government.

Nevada: By 2029, all Nevadans have access to affordable, reliable, scalable high-speed internet, a connected device, and the digital skills and support needed to safely and securely work, learn, and thrive.

New Hampshire: Empower New Hampshire residents to thrive by enabling access to resources, skills, and other supports needed to participate in today’s digital world.

New Jersey: New Jersey's digital equity vision is for every resident to have the confidence and competence to harness the power of the internet, devices, and digitally accessible services. Digital equity can help New Jersey bridge economic and achievement disparities among all residents, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives with dignity.

New Mexico: The State of New Mexico envisions a future in which all residents, families, and communities have equal access to and meaningful use of digital tools, technologies, and information, regardless of their background, income, location, or abilities. This vision aims to bridge the digital divide, ensure inclusive participation in the digital age, and promote social and economic well-being for all residents. [see much more]

New York: Governor Kathy Hochul established the ConnectALL Office (CAO) in 2022 to transform New York State’s digital infrastructure so all residents and businesses have access to high-speed, reliable, and affordable broadband for education, economic growth, and full participation in civic life.

North Carolina: We envision a future where all North Carolinians have access to high-speed internet and the digital tools, resources, and skills to fully and equitably participate in our society, democracy and economy.

North Dakota: Empower every North Dakotan, from our urban centers to the most remote regions of our state, with equitable digital access to be engaged with the opportunities of tomorrow.

Ohio: Our vision of a more digitally equitable Ohio extends beyond connectivity; it encompasses equal opportunity to access quality education, healthcare, job opportunities, government services, and cultural resources online. By fostering collaborative partnerships and empowering under-resourced communities to accomplish its goals, Ohio will ensure that no one is left behind.

Oklahoma: Oklahomans will have access to the information, resources, and skills needed to participate in society to the fullest and to remain competitive in a digital marketplace.

Oregon: It is the vision of the State of Oregon that all people in Oregon will have access to affordable and reliable high-speed broadband internet to attain positive economic, educational, and health outcomes and to participate in social and civic life.

Pennsylvania: To support a healthy and economically strong Commonwealth, every resident deserves to have digital dignity and confidently participate in our increasingly connected society.

Puerto Rico: Garantizar que todos los puertorriqueños, independientemente de su origen o ubicación, tengan acceso a los recursos y oportunidades necesarios para prosperar en el mundo digital y participar plenamente en la sociedad moderna. (Ensure all Puerto Ricans, regardless of their background or location, have access to the resources and opportunities necessary to thrive in the digital world and fully participate in modern society.)

Rhode Island: Rhode Island’s overarching vision and goal for statewide broadband and digital equity is to leverage a best-in-class, resilient, sustainable, and scalable broadband infrastructure to propel the state’s 21st century economic, education, healthcare, civic and social engagement, and quality of life, by ensuring all Rhode Islanders have access to affordable, accessible high-speed internet in their homes, at their places of employment, and at public facilities by 2027.

South Carolina: Our vision is for all South Carolinians to have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet and to gain the necessary skills to benefit from this technology.

South Dakota: Ensure every citizen will have access to affordable, future-proof, high-speed internet, along with the means to utilize it safely and competently.

Tennessee: Tennessee’s vision for digital opportunity is ensuring that all Tennesseans have access to affordable and reliable internet service, dependable technology, and the digital literacy skills necessary to empower individuals to fully access all digital opportunities.

Texas: Improve quality of life and promote economic growth by enabling fast, reliable and affordable broadband connectivity for all residents and businesses of Texas, promoting universal broadband adoption and providing access to digital skills development.

Utah: To realize a Utah where all are invited to fully participate in modern society through access to affordable high-speed internet, safe and reliable devices, and training to achieve digital independence.

Vermont: The State of Vermont seeks to ensure every individual in Vermont—regardless of identity, community, or economic challenges—has high-quality, accessible, affordable technology resources.

Virginia: Governor Youngkin’s vision prioritizes affordable, reliable, high-speed internet access, universally across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The vision to achieve universal broadband under the Digital Opportunity Program is to ensure that every Virginian has access to affordable, reliable, and high-speed internet service, as well as the opportunities necessary to fully participate in the economy and society.

Washington: Everyone in Washington has affordable broadband internet technology as well as the tools and skills needed to participate in our digital society before 2028.

West Virginia: Ensure that all West Virginians have the resources they need to participate in the digital world and achieve the economic benefits of digital equity.

Wisconsin: All Wisconsinites will have equitable access to affordable broadband service and the capacity to fully engage in a digital society. High-speed broadband will benefit all residents and communities.

Wyoming: Wyoming’s vision is to ensure that every citizen and business can connect to and effectively use affordable, reliable, and future-proof broadband.

For states' digital equity plans, see these summaries.

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Kevin Taglang
Executive Editor, Communications-related Headlines
Benton Institute
for Broadband & Society
1041 Ridge Rd, Unit 214
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-220-4531
headlines AT benton DOT org

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Broadband Delivers Opportunities and Strengthens Communities

Series:

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

State Profiles