This week in “What’s New in Digital Equity” — our weekly look at government digital equity and broadband news — we have a number of interesting items, which you can jump to with the links below:
HUD REVEALS HIGH-SPEED INTERNET GUIDE
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has released a guidebook to assist states and organizations in navigating the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) and the Digital Equity Act programs. This guidebook is designed to assist HUD stakeholders and Public Housing Agencies in better understanding their roles in connecting their communities.
This guidebook provides an overview of both programs and explains why they are most relevant for HUD-assisted communities. The guidebook also provides information on topics such as eligibility and application process.
“Online participation is a necessary resource to thrive in today’s society,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge in the announcement. “We are so grateful to the NTIA for their support in developing this useful resource and we look forward to the continued partnership between our agencies.”
In addition, the guidebook includes a section titled, “Looking Ahead to 2024,” in which it outlines the forthcoming State Digital Equity Capacity Grant and the Digital Equity Competitive Grant. Each grant program will provide funding of over $1 billion to support digital equity efforts. The first grant program is only available to states, territories, and tribal entities. The second grants are available to private, public, and nonprofit entities.
HUD has been working for years to increase Internet access for those living in HUD-assisted homes through ConnectHome and, more recently, the Affordable Connectivity program. (Julia Edinger)
GROUPS PUSH BIDEN FOR A STRONG PUBLIC INTEEST NOMINEE TO FCC
Earlier this month, President Joe Biden’s nominee for the fifth Federal Communications Commission (FCC) commissioner seat, Gigi Sohn, withdrew from the confirmation process after more a year of delay. A coalition of more than 60 organizations with vested interests in the matter sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to choose a nominee who embodied key characteristics. They want a candidate with a track record of advocacy for the public, who is not influenced by industry conflicts of interests, who is committed to the rights of low-income communities and people of color, and who supports Title II oversight.
The letter explains that the FCC’s 2-2 impasse for more than two years has prevented digital equity issues from moving forward. Further, the coalitions called on Biden to press the Democratic majority in the Senate to “swiftly” confirm the nominee to allow the FCC to move forward with crucial work.
The Coalition includes organizations such as the National Digital Inclusion Alliance and The American Library Association, The Greenlining Institute, and The Center for Accessible Technology. It also includes public-sector entities such as the cities of Boston, Mass., or Portland, Ore. (Julia Edinger)
LOCAL GOV ACP EXTRACH
Cities are increasing their efforts to encourage eligible residents to sign up to the Affordable Connectivity program (ACP), which is a federal initiative to make high-speed Internet affordable.
Philadelphia launched a new campaign this week to sign up for the ACP. It does so via a website and a number that can be called. To find out if you are eligible for the ACP, interested parties can visit getacp.org/phl. Or dial 211. You can also find information on how to apply through these channels. You can find translations of the website in Spanish, Chinese, and you can also call the hotline 24/7 to get information in 150 other languages. The city’s network of Digital Navigators is also being tapped to support eligibility assessments and sign-ups.
Philadelphia is not the only city that supports ACP sign-ups. Local governments across the country are promoting this work. In fact, just this week another major American city — New Orleans — also announced a new outreach campaign.
The FCC funded a $370,000 ACP outreach grant that was awarded to the city’s local government. Many other outreach initiatives like this are ongoing and more will be announced soon. The ACP, a $14.2 billion FCC benefit programme that makes high-speed Internet accessible at discounted rates, is for the uninitiated. For those in dire need of an Internet device, there is a one-time subsidy. (Zack Quaintance)
STATE GOVERNMENT OUTREACH
State governments are also keen to maintain ACP outreach. This week, two states announced new funding and initiatives centered on the work.
First, Delaware Governor. John Carney announced that the state will be partnering with several municipalities to promote the awareness campaign. Dover, Georgetown and Milford are among the city leaders participating. Other cities across the state have pledged their support to spread awareness.
North Carolina announced today that it was awarded $500,000 by the FCC for ACP outreach. North Carolina — frequently a national leader on broadband and digital equity — has more than 690,000 households already in the program. The grant will be made to the N.C. Department of Information Technology Division of Broadband and Digital Equity. (Zack Quaintance)
WHITEHOUSE OFFERS $73M IN ACP Outreach Grants
The White House also announced that $73 million has been released to ACP outreach grants. We have already mentioned some of these grants.
The money will be divided into two separate tracts. The first is $66 million and it will go to the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Program — exactly what it sounds like — while the second is for $7 million and will go to a pair of ACP pilot programs. Those programs, according to the federal government’s announcement, will “test a variety of methods to reach out to the federal housing communities, and work with trusted third parties to assist consumers in applying for the Affordable Connectivity Program.”
An announcement noted that 16.75 Million households are currently enrolled under the ACP and that this number will increase due to all of the outreach investments. (Zack Quaintance)
NEW YORK LEADERS LAUNCH FIRST BROOKLYN GIGABIT CENTER
New York City has announced the launch of the Brooklyn Gigabit Center, which is part of the city’s broader effort to bridge the digital divide. The city’s recent work in this space has included the launch of Big Apple Connect and a strategic plan that highlights goals to improve digital literacy among constituents.
Brooklyn’s Gigabit Center is the latest in a series of similar centers that were launched last year in Queens, Manhattan and Bronx. Crown Heights is home to the center, which offers students free high-speed Internet access, access to Internet enabled devices, a 3D printer and technology education workshops that improve knowledge about coding and app design. It also offers digital literacy programming to older adults.
The New York City Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI), LinkNYC and digital education nonprofit Digital Girl formed the partnership that created the center. The Staten Island Gigabit Center will be launched this spring. (Julia Edinger)