#digital equity

AN OPEN LETTER to THE U.S. CONGRESS

Fund the Affordable Connectivity Program NOW!

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I’m a concerned constituent writing to urge you to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program or ACP. Digital connectivity is a basic necessity in our modern world and the internet must be treated as a public utility. We use the internet to apply for jobs, perform our jobs, receive telehealth medical treatment, and pay bills, and students use it to complete homework assignments. But for millions of people in rural and urban areas, and Tribal communities, the internet is a luxury they cannot afford. Failure by Congress to fund this program will force millions of households already on tight budgets to choose between being able to stay online or potentially losing access to this essential service. If Congress doesn’t act fast, funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program will run out and more than 22 million Americans -- 1 in 6 households -- will lose this vital service. The implications of this will be devastating. In 2019, 18% of Native people living on Tribal land had no internet access; 33% relied on cell phone service for the internet; and 39% had spotty or no connection to the internet at home on their smart phone. The ACP has enrolled 320,000 households on Tribal lands -- important progress. The largest percentage gains in broadband access are in rural areas. Nearly half of military families are enrolled in ACP, as are one in four African American and Latino households. Losing access and training on using computers and the internet will have devastating impacts on all these communities as technology becomes increasingly integral to work, education, health, and our everyday lives. Without moves to address tech inequality, low-income communities and communities of color are heading towards an “unemployment abyss.” The Affordable Connectivity Program has broad bipartisan support because it is working. As your constituent, I am urging you to push for renewed funding for the ACP before it runs out in the coming weeks.

▶ Created on April 11 by Jess Craven

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At Marconi Society’s “Decade of Digital Inclusion” conference last year, we heard from leaders in technology and digital equity. What follows is a précis of my remarks and some additional reflections for the session, ‘The (Big) Data Economy: Inclusion and Fairness’, in which I focus on the importance of digital equity now to secure a future that works for all.

When ‘good enough’, isn’t good enough

Rural and low-income communities have been expected to make-do with antiquated infrastructure and low-performing technologies offered at high costs, such as legacy copper (DSL) or coaxial cable networks, or satellite service. Time and again, communities are told not to expect fiber-based networks, but to settle for whatever technology is offered to them. In his book, Farm Fresh Broadband, Christopher Ali calls this the “politics of good enough”.

Digital inclusion — having access to quality broadband infrastructure, devices, and the digital skills to use them — is key to upward mobility. It is a portal to healthcare and education, a platform to start and grow a business, and the first rung on the ladder to a well paid job.

For much of the 20th Century, individuals were able to enter the middle class, with or without a college degree, through jobs in manufacturing and retail. Today most jobs have a digital component and employers across sectors look for candidates with well-honed digital skills. If you haven’t grown up with access to data and devices, you’re starting at a disadvantage. And if you don’t have a computer and a connection, good luck applying for a job in a world where recruitment happens almost entirely online.

Digital exclusion doesn’t just punish job seekers, it holds back the creation of jobs in the first place. When a community doesn’t have the fiber infrastructure to attract and retain 21st century businesses, it loses out on so many fronts. Fewer work opportunities. A lower tax base. Less activity in the local economy. Higher unemployment — and the economic and social costs that often follow in distressed communities.

Digital inclusion is economic inclusion

‘Digital exclusion’ is ‘economic exclusion’. By maintaining the digital divide, this politics of ‘good enough’ will perpetuate ever greater income and wealth inequality. By the same token, ‘digital inclusion is economic inclusion’ and by pursuing what Jonathan Sallet calls broadband networks ‘fit for the future’ we can start unwinding the entrenched poverty that has robbed communities of a brighter future.

We cannot miss this moment. The longer we wait to close the digital divide, the harder it’ll be for those on the wrong side to catch up. We have the technology, the established research methodologies and data sets, and best practices. We have business and operating models, philanthropy, and, in the U.S., the Community Reinvestment Act, that can support the connection of low-income, BIPOC, and rural communities that large national providers have not served equitably. Let’s heed the warning of one of our most trusted leaders in broadband policy, Blair Levin: “…our country may take the biggest backwards step any country has ever taken in increasing, rather than closing, the digital divide.” Let’s not blindly proceed on that path. 

Civic participation at its best

There are local and regional ISPs, co-ops, local governments, and community partners across the country who are rolling up their sleeves and building next generation broadband networks for underserved communities. And they know better than to aim for the minimum speed, i.e., the FCC’s definition of 25/3 mbps that seems to be frozen in time, driven by a scarcity narrative in a world where accelerating technology demands require that networks ‘fit for the future’ offer far greater speeds. This is civic participation at its best — and the government, philanthropy, and the private sector must support these efforts.

Rather than wasting time entertaining inaccurate, unreliable, expensive maps (at least $44 million for the new FCC “Federal Broadband Map” by CostQuest) and catering to powerful companies that write the rules and misrepresent their service, we must engage with communities to understand their needs, their context, and work with them to shape our shared digital future. This is the work I joined Connect Humanity to do, with a special focus on the Texas-Mexico border region. 

When we make investments in local communities, we support an inclusive economy and opportunities for under-represented groups to use, create, and own assets in the digital economy. That level of inclusion is necessary for a diversity of people to become the makers and shapers of fair algorithms, the owners of local and regional  ISPs, the ethical managers of the internet of things, and the leaders who engage communities to make policy and law to protect people from the deleterious use of big data and AI.

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance defines digital equity as “all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy” (2016). This means that everyone has the resources available to contribute to a society that has become completely saturated in a variety of digital technologies. Another important aspect of digital equity is digital inclusion, which is defined as “activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to, and use of, information and communication technologies” (National Digital Inclusion Alliance, 2016). This means everyone, especially those living with disadvantageous circumstances, have the abilities to not only access but also properly use the technologies required to fully participate in society. 

The digital divide is what happens when disadvantages parts of society do not have proper access and ability to use the digital technologies needed to fully participate in society. In a TEDx Talk, Cynthia Owyoung talked about how tech companies can work towards healing the digital divide (you can watch her presentation here). She suggested that the definition of “digital divide” needs to increase to include those who receive direct benefits from the digital revelation and those who do not (2017). These concepts relate because the digital divide is our current state, digital equity is the end goal, and digital inclusion is the strategy used to help achieve this goal. There has to be a coherent strategy for digital inclusion. It can’t just have short-term solutions, but long-term, sustainable options that are able to adapt to our ever-changing technological landscape.  

“Digital Equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services” (National Digital Inclusion Alliance, 2016). 98% of households are located in an area with access to broadband networks, however not nearly this many people are able to use technology. Why is that? (Schweiger, 2014). Our society uses digital technology in many sectors, so without full access to these digital services, people will have difficulty participating to the fullest extent. These people will also have difficulties building a variety of digital literacy skills because you have to have hands-on experience and practice with the kinds of technology that are used prevalently in society. 

There are many different ways that the digital divide can be healed and further steps towards digital equity can be made. For more information on the National Digital Inclusion Alliance you can visit their website. 

Sources:

https://www.benton.org/blog/what-do-we-mean-when-we-say-digital-equity-and-digital-inclusion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy1a-ttizxU

Pazurek, A., & Feyissa, S. (2015). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Educational Technology: Digital Divide. SAGE Publications, Inc. 205-207.  

YESSSSSS.

The Equitable Internet Initiative is incredible! 

Investing in modern educational technology is no longer considered a luxury for elite institutions; it has become an absolute necessity for global academic survival. Comprehensive data from the latest Smart Classroom Market report indicates that the demand for interactive hardware and cloud-based learning management software is growing exponentially worldwide. This widespread adoption is heavily supported by parents, educators, and corporate leaders who all agree that traditional learning spaces fail to engage digital-native students. The integration of technology helps bridge the gap between abstract academic theories and practical, real-world skills required by modern industries. Consequently, school boards are systematically phasing out obsolete equipment to make room for smart infrastructure.

The primary drivers behind this massive market expansion include the rapid reduction in hardware manufacturing costs and the widespread availability of high-speed wireless networks. Interactive whiteboards, student tablets, and classroom audio systems have become significantly more affordable, allowing mid-sized and community schools to participate in the digital revolution. Additionally, the development of open-source educational software has drastically lowered the barrier to entry for schools operating on tight budgets. Teachers are now empowered to create custom digital curriculums, share resources globally, and utilize multimedia content to explain intricate subjects easily. This democratization of technology is leveling the playing field, ensuring students from various backgrounds receive a high-quality education.

Another critical factor highlighted in industry studies is the growing emphasis on gamified learning and immersive virtual environments within primary and secondary education. Software developers are creating highly interactive educational games that teach complex scientific principles, coding, and language skills through playful engagement. By transforming lessons into interactive challenges, educators are witnessing a profound increase in student participation, enthusiasm, and overall knowledge retention. Furthermore, virtual reality headsets are slowly entering the mainstream classroom, allowing students to explore historical landmarks or dissect virtual organisms safely. These immersive experiences stimulate deep curiosity and critical thinking, turning passive listeners into active explorers of knowledge.

From a geographic standpoint, the European sector represents an incredibly lucrative and rapidly developing hub for educational technology providers and software developers alike. Notably, the Europe Smart Classroom Market was valued at USD 33,090 million in 2023 and is estimated to reach a value of USD 134,732 million by 2030 with a CAGR of 22.5% during the forecast period. This stellar growth rate is a direct consequence of strict regional regulations promoting digital literacy and the rapid implementation of cloud-connected learning infrastructure. European nations are actively fostering partnerships between technology enterprises and local universities to design specialized software that adheres to rigorous academic standards. This synchronized effort creates a robust ecosystem that sets a high benchmark for educational institutions worldwide.

REGISTER | ADD TO CALENDAR | PERMALINK On Thursday, 14 May 2026, at 13:00 EDT (17:00 UTC), the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) will join advocates and members of Congress for a virtual press briefing to discuss the cancellation of the Digital Equity Act, and the harms the cancellation has caused for the digital inclusion ecosystem. SPEAKERS Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) Rep. Grace Meng…

LIVESTREAM | ADD TO CALENDAR | PERMALINK On Wednesday April 15 2026, at 15:00-16:15 EDT (19:00-20:15 UTC) the Institute for Local Self-Reliance Community Broadband Networks Initiative and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) present a Building for Digital Equity (B4DE) livestream ‘Local Dollars, Local Solutions: Digital Equity Tax Money & How to Negotiate Better AI Data Center Deals’.…