A Preview of Our Upcoming Conversation
On September 10, 2024, at 12:00 noon eastern time, the Marconi Society is proud to partner with experts from our Digital Inclusion Training programs to share time-tested learning in the field of digital inclusion, as well as the important developments that you need to know about now. Register here to join us.
Our expert panel looks forward to sharing their insights and taking your questions about policy, programs, and technology. Our panelists include:
- John Cioffi, CEO and Chairman of ASSIA, inventor of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), EE Prof (recalled), Stanford University
- Roberto Gallardo, Vice President of Engagement, Purdue Center for Regional Development
- Angela Siefer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
- Paula Reinman, Moderator, Marconi Society
Here are some highlights of our upcoming conversation.
The past year was a mixed bag
Over the past year, we have seen remarkable progress forward in the awareness and understanding of digital equity. The levels of funding available finally recognize the importance of broadband as a basic human right and the need for economic incentives to reach underserved areas. Every state has created a digital equity plan and there is significant funding to support these plans. It will be incumbent on all of us to ensure that affordable connections, devices and digital literacy are delivered as promised.
The downside has most certainly been the discontinuation of the Affordable Connectivity Plan (ACP). 23 million of 53 million eligible households enrolled in the program. According to the Benton Foundation, 13%, or 3 million households, said that they would disconnect and another 36%, or 8.3 million households, said they would downgrade their service. While intensive advocacy efforts remain underway, every month we see more people disconnecting due to cost.
Game changers to be optimistic about
Despite the hopefully temporary demise of an ACP-like cost reduction program, there is plenty of good news coming up this year.
We will learn so much! This is a level of investment that we have never seen before. We will have the opportunity to see what works as we try and evaluate approaches and we will learn how to replicate successes.
Digital equity is now being discussed in ways it has not been before and increased funding makes communities more interested in focusing resources on it. In underserved areas, such as rural communities, this funding makes it possible for digital equity to “compete” for resources among other pressing issues.
Technology possibilities if the right incentives are in place
Technology could enable us to truly identify un- and underserved areas and to evaluate the impact of our investments if Internet Service Providers (ISPs) had the incentive or mandate to share the information. Each carrier has link-connection data on every link in their system that provides a wealth of information on the health and performance of each link without including any personal user data. This data would immediately show the lowest performing areas and places where investment should be directed. The lack of this information is part of the reason that the FCC maps are so flawed.
This data could make a big difference in making sure that everyone has the best service possible if the ISPs were incented or required to provide it.
We look forward to seeing you on September 10. Please bring your questions and ideas.
