The pandemic has given us both the political will and hopefully the funding to truly rethink the role of government in ensuring not only Internet access, but digital equity for all. Even once infrastructure funding bills are passed, the road forward offers many opportunities for the government to create truly innovative policies, rules, and funding mechanisms—and potential points of failure if key changes in these areas do not occur.
At The Decade of Digital Inclusion, the Marconi Society brings together leaders to provide advice and perspectives on the changes that need to happen to ensure that we use this once-in-a-generation opportunity to truly give everyone in the U.S. the opportunities of the network.
Moderator: Blair Levin, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution
Panelists: Steve Coran, Attorney, Lerman Senter; Chris Lewis, President and CEO, Public Knowledge; Christina Mason, Government Affairs, Dish Network; Chris Mitchell, Director, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
The wide-ranging discussion covered key areas at the intersection of policy, technology, and practitioner insights. The panel is available on demand for registered participants in The Decade of Digital Inclusion.
“We’re in a period where, over the next couple of years, decades will happen.”
Blair Levin
- States need to create comprehensive digital equity plans
While the federal government may provide funding and policy guidance, states are responsible for spending funding dollars well to ensure that everyone who needs to benefit is able to do so. “States need to buy into the full picture of the digital divide,” Chris Lewis tells us, looking at both the supply and demand sides of the equation. Creating effective plans also means that state, county, and local governments must have a digital inclusion skillset, which is a new and unique blend of technology, policy, and practitioner background.
While we may be tempted to look to national organizations to direct spending, Chris Mitchell reminds us that local projects with proven track records are in the best position to serve their communities. They bring cultural competence and local insights that national players cannot replicate. Wisconsin and Iowa are good examples of states that are releasing tens of millions of dollars for local projects to expand successful efforts already underway.
States will also need to consider the technology mix and speed requirements that will best serve their residents. Key questions include bandwidth requirements to meet consumer needs today and in the future: Is 100 mbps bi-directional connectivity a requirement now? Do we need to build once, sized for the future, and be done? The technology mix will also be key. While fiber and fixed broadband are default technologies, wireless can play a significant role in rural communities and last-mile access.
2. Granular, high quality mapping is a critical building block for digital inclusion
In discussions of digital equity, all roads lead to mapping. Flaws and inaccuracies in the current data are widely acknowledged, as is the need for reliable data at a granular level. Truly representative data must be detailed at the neighborhood level and validated through crowdsourcing. The “unserved trap,” as Mitchell calls it, defaults to funding rural connectivity since the detailed data needed to define urban broadband deserts does not exist. Mitchell also suggests that we focus on areas that have healthy and affordable broadband options to understand what is going right in those markets and how to replicate it, rather than looking exclusively at underserved markets.
Mapping has moved front and center with different efforts gathering steam at every level. Examples include the FCC’s Fixed Broadband Deployment initiative, successful state-level projects such as the Georgia Broadband Map, and national collaborations including the Marconi Society’s Broadband Mapping Coalition.
3. The government must commit to long-term funding of simple-to-use Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) or similar programs to truly change business models
The panel unanimously agreed that EBB funds and the Affordable Connectivity Benefit funds are critical to bringing the un and under-connected online. In order to really change the game, though, the federal government needs to commit to continued funding so that service providers can make needed changes to their business models and plan expansions of successful services.
In addition to a foreseeable funding stream, federal and state programs need to be accessible for both providers and consumers. “We must unclutter the process to ensure participation,” says Steve Coran. Smaller Internet Service Providers (ISPs)—including wireless ISPs (WISPs), tribal providers, and local providers—do not have in-house legal staff to manage complex application and verification processes. Complicated and time-consuming qualification requirements also block consumers from applying for life-changing benefits.
4. The FCC needs to take a more aggressive role in ensuring equitable and affordable broadband services
Panelists largely agreed that the FCC has a major role to play in ensuring equitable and affordable broadband. That role must reflect the reality of today’s technology and business models. Key issues include:
- Optimizing spectrum: “When we have truly affordable connectivity, everything from our cars to our refrigerators will be part of the network,” Christina Mason says. This everyday experience, as well as expanded broadband services, will require significant spectrum, some of which can be found by putting un- and under-utilized spectrum to work. One challenge will be that much of the government-owned spectrum belongs to the Department of Defense, which may be slow and resistant to releasing it. The FCC could consider selling spectrum in smaller blocks to allow smaller companies to purchase and requiring auctions to offer Tribal Priority windows that are long enough for tribes to actually take advantage of them.
- Reclassification of ISPs as Title 2 carriers (public utilities): This reclassification would put ISPs within the FCC’s jurisdiction. While many ISPs are concerned that FCC oversight would negatively impact their business, oversight would provide greater control over pricing and net neutrality, as well as a path to transitioning the Lifeline program to broadband benefits.
This unique moment in time offers the opportunity to finally achieve digital equity in the U.S. if we do it right. This is the opportunity for policy makers, technologists, and digital inclusion practitioners to bring the best they have to offer to benefit American consumers.
