This discussion of delivering on the promise of broadband is for leaders in government, anchor institutions, Tribes, policy-making roles, and nonprofits who are working on issues such as creating digital equity ecosystems, braiding together funding and understanding technology options. Moderated by Paula Reinman, Marconi Society Strategy and Communications Lead, our expert panel included John Cioffi, CEO and Chairman of ASSIA, and Professor (recalled) of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University; Roberto Gallardo, Vice President of Engagement, Purdue Center for Regional Development; and Angela Siefer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA).
A replay of this webinar is available here.
The imperative for broadband for all has never been greater. Study after study shows that the combination of affordable access and devices, along with digital literacy, delivers economic benefits far greater than the investment made. Delivering on the promise of broadband for all means understanding the unique blend of policy, technology, and programs that will drive change.
In this webinar, Paula Reinman moderated a discussion among John Cioffi, Roberto Gallardo, and Angela Siefer, leaders who have created the technology, studied the impacts, and built the movement around digital equity. All three are also featured experts in the Marconi Society’s Digital Inclusion Training program. Paula launched the discussion by asking each of the three panelists to share how broadband became their passion.
After introducing himself as an agricultural economist at Purdue, Roberto stated that his interest in this area dates to his time on the faculty at Mississippi State University, where one of the areas he dealt with was digital exclusion. He has continued working on digital inclusion in his role, directing the Purdue Center for Regional Development.
Angela focused on the human aspect of broadband technology, defining success in terms of how well we are able to use it. She acknowledged all the people addressing the issue of broadband access in their communities as her inspiration for starting NDIA almost ten years ago.
John introduced himself as a Stanford University professor and technologist whose work has been applied to the copper, fiber, and wireless systems that underlie broadband services. Through the company he founded and leads, he has applied his work to improving broadband infrastructure in support of digital inclusion.
Paula then directed questions on aspects of digital equity relevant to their backgrounds. Responding to her question on the need for a national workforce trained in all aspects of digital equity, Angela observed that closing the digital divide is more than a technology issue. A workforce knowledgeable in how humans operate and their insecurities around technology is needed to help all community members take full advantage of the Internet. This is the workforce we need to celebrate and support.
In response to Paula’s question on the constant truths around digital equity, Roberto began by agreeing with Angela that it’s about more than technology. While digital equity may begin with access to technology, what is needed to achieve digital literacy will constantly evolve along with Internet applications. As a result, there will always be a group that needs help because they don’t have Internet access, or they don’t know how to use it, or they can’t afford it. We must be mindful of the highly dynamic ecosystem under which digital equity takes place.
On the question of making broadband access more affordable, John first observed that trillions of dollars have already been spent on broadband infrastructure, and trillions more will be needed to get to the point where everyone has full connectivity. Given this level of investment, the question becomes how best to commit it. Detailed data on broadband infrastructure exists, although much of it is currently held by the private sector. He advocated for more sharing of data to put the expenditures in the places it’s most needed.
The conversation between Paula and the panelists continued with discussions on a range of topics including artificial intelligence and the potential for another technology divide in this area; the importance of local champions in addressing digital inclusion; and the expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the need for service providers to offer low-cost Internet options. To hear this discussion of these issues and the answers to viewers’ questions, follow [this link] for a recording of the full webinar.
In addition to questions answered in real time during the webinar, the panelists addressed several questions offline after the webinar ended:
Q. Great opportunities with funding right now but how can we plan for sustainability with such a dynamic ecosystem?
A. Please refer to NDIA’s blog post on this topic.
Q. Are there emerging models that measure return on investment for the various elements of digital inclusion programs?
A. The ROI for the infrastructure component is well documented. Devices and digital literacy are emerging. The NDEET team is developing metrics and data gathering mechanisms around knowledge increase due to digital literacy.
Q. John’s learned response was very lucid and informative. However, in the absence of a consideration of the issues suggested by the questioner, how can reliable DE policies be promulgated and effectuated by recipients of BEAD and related funding?
A. There are two ways that internet service providers (ISPs) could be incentivized to provide the API (application programmer’s interface) to the data (or portions thereof to be discussed) using established standards for these API’s (Broadband Forum’s TR369 is an example of such a standard).
1. Any US (or really NTIA through state and local governments) subsidies (BEAD or otherwise) to an ISP for broadband build would require the API to be implemented NETWORK WIDE.
2. So-called “FAIR SHARE” payments: This is highly controversial and the European Parliament just issued today their suggested play to require large subsidy to ISPs from heavy application providers like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Netflix, Meta, Apple and others. There are American groups trying to require the same thing in US. This will be a tremendous fight politically that is coming – however, one way that might be acceptable to both groups (ISPs and application providers) would be that a version of the API is made available by the ISP in exchange for payment from the application providers. That way, the application providers are getting something they can turn into more money, while the ISPs are getting more money to build.
