Public comments on the Draft Performance Measures for BEAD Last-Mile Networks were due to NTIA on December 19, 2024, the day following the call. Alexis Schrubbe said that her University of Chicago team did not prepare a response but offered to share data they have collected on broadband speed variability. Dustin commented that the FCC reporting requirements for broadband performance follows closely with past requirements for similar programs.

Continuing the discussion on reporting requirements, Dave Taht shared a link to the Bufferbloat.net NTIA response. Alexis offered to forward results on latency derived from testing done in Milwaukee, observing that it is becoming recognized as a more serious issue. Testing frequency was also discussed, with Bryan Darr of Ookla recommending deploying a private endpoint server to accommodate the volume of test data. He also mentioned another upcoming FCC deadline, this one on December 27^th for statements supporting or opposing a Petition for Rulemaking on standardized broadband speed testing protocols.

The conversation then shifted to the Final Proposal Data from Louisiana, Delaware, and Nevada. Dustin displayed a spreadsheet with the analysis he performed on the data posted by the three states. In particular, he highlighted the cost per location passed associated with various technologies. Fixed wireless appeared to have the highest cost, possibly due to the remote nature of the locations served. Jake Varn of Pew reported similar observations when asked by Dustin, who promised more analysis details in the coming months.

The discussion of issues in the year ahead began with thoughts on the possibility of BEAD funding clawbacks after the new administration takes office on January 20th. While funds already committed for planning should be safe, uncertainty surrounds deployment funding as states continue to work on sub-recipient agreements. On another issue related to government actions, the recent news regarding a potential ban of TP-Link equipment due to its Chinese origins raised concerns about the availability of alternate sources of routers for both ISPs and consumers.

Finally, the challenge of measuring broadband performance all the way to the customer was discussed. Embedding testing capabilities in routers is preferable to deploying network probes on customer premises, which may be met with customer resistance and privacy concerns.

A recording of the call is available to Coalition members on request (info@marconisociety.org). Dustin announced that the next National Broadband Mapping Coalition call will take place on Wednesday, January 22.

The post National Broadband Mapping Coalition: December 2024 Monthly Call Highlights appeared first on The Marconi Society.

Following Dustin’s introduction, Thomas opened by saying that his office is moving quickly to complete the preparation of their Final Proposal, which had been released for public comment two days earlier and is due by the end of this year. Bidding was opened to service providers in August on about 140,000 BEAD-eligible locations throughout Louisiana, organized into roughly 1800 sub-project areas (SPAs). Following public comment, their goal is to submit to NTIA by December 12.

Thomas described a two-round bidding process with most locations receiving funding applications from multiple service providers in the first round. Due to overlapping and conflicting bids, only nineteen awards were made in the first round. In round two, with adjusted bids from the first round, awards were made to 127,000 locations, the majority of which are fiber-to-the-home locations with an average cost of passing of about $5000. Following the second round, they were able to reach out and encourage providers to bid on the remaining 12,000 locations. In the end, about 95% of locations are to be served by fiber with the remainder served by alternative technologies.

In response to questions from others on the call, Thomas shared additional information and lessons learned from their experience. For example, all the awards have been made with providers subject to the 25% match requirement, although some have applied for waivers. To establish baseline pricing, they used CostQuest modeling data. Twenty providers received awards, with awardees posted on their website. Finally, awards were made in about 40 of the roughly 100 SPAs qualifying for Critical Resilience Needs (CRN) incentives.

Dustin invited Christine Parker of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance to comment on the latest FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC) release. Christine noted difficulties in using BDC data that arise due to changes between release versions. In response to a suggestion form Dustin, Robert Martin of Works Public commented that while some folks are already archiving BDC data using automated tools, it would be great to have a centralized archive. Another issue Christine identified is that ISPs can disappear and reappear from version to version based on whether they provide a data update for a given version.

A recording of the call is available to Coalition members on request (info@marconisociety.org). Dustin reminded everyone that the next National Broadband Mapping Coalition call will take place on Wednesday, December 18, a week earlier than usual due to the holidays.

The post National Broadband Mapping Coalition: November 2024 Monthly Call Highlights appeared first on The Marconi Society.

On October 25, the Marconi Society is proud to host our inaugural Executive Forum in Bologna, Italy. The forum aims to foster critical reflections and forward-looking discussions about the industry’s future. Executives from industry and experts from academia will delve into emerging challenges such as equitable connectivity, innovative commercial models, and the impact of frontier technologies.

One of our esteemed panels will focus on Looking to the Future: Creating a More Prosperous World with Broadband for All. We are honored to have Professor Giovanni E. Corazza, Founder of the Marconi Institute for Creativity, and William Webb, Author, Consultant, and Former CTO, Access Partnership, moderating this panel.

Giovanni and William share a few thoughts with us in advance of this important panel.

Our Executive Forum is called “Connected Lives: What Would Marconi Think.” In your opinion, what would Marconi, as an innovator and entrepreneur, think about our world today?

Giovanni: Simplifying, Marconi’s life could be divided into three parts: development, excitement, and sadness.

As a teenager, he had a peculiarly strong vision of himself as a future inventor. A sort of premonition that would lead him to pursue his educational development through a personalized private program, very much focused on the rising field of electromagnetism. At the age of 21 his dream became a reality in the park of Villa Griffone, in the outskirts of Bologna, where he gave origin to the world of wireless communications, as testified by an IEEE milestone.

Great entrepreneurial excitement quickly followed, bringing him to London for patenting, rounding up capital, and starting the Marconi Company at age 23. For about 25 years, Marconi kept on fighting with great strength to build a multinational reality for global communications.

Strangely enough, the advent of broadcasting in the 1920’s not only marked the start of significant commercial success for his company, but also the beginning of the sadder part of his life due to the rise in Europe of aggressive regimes that would lead to the second world war, which Marconi did not live to see. The idea that his invention could be used for harmful purposes was hardly acceptable to him.

In conclusion, my guess is that Marconi would look at today’s global situation with a mix of excitement for the undeniably powerful technological advances we are witnessing, as well as sadness for the apparently endless stream of raging wars, exploiting ever more technically sophisticated weapons. Once more, it is worthwhile repeating one of Marconi’s quotes: “My invention is for the benefit of humanity, not for its destruction.”

William: It is tempting to say that he’d be amazed at what we have achieved, how a small cellphone can access the world’s information, how satellites cover the globe and more. But given the ferocious pace of innovation in the early 20th century and given that 100 years have gone by since, I suspect the opposite, that he would be surprised at how little we have achieved – as books like 1984 and 2001 suggest, we assume faster change than actually occurs.

I suspect he’d be surprised that we had not solved the problem of being always-connected, and that there is a digital divide both within and across nations. But he might be pleasantly surprised at all of the various functions we have managed to cram into a handset. He might also be a little disappointed that much of the use is frivolous rather than necessary.
He would, I expect, be rightly proud that his inventions have led to a use of wireless that is completely indispensable in our world today.

Can you share a breakthrough idea or two that could radically change our ability to create a more prosperous world with broadband for all?

Giovanni: We need to break away from the short-term vision of society imposed by the prevalence of immediate financial returns over the long-term strategic valence of widespread sustainable infrastructures. This sharp turn requires a systemic approach to decision making that involves political, social, industrial, environmental, and regulatory dimensions. If any of these dimensions is left behind, the result is bound to produce even more inequality across the globe, and even within single nations.

A broadband infrastructure with truly global coverage requires large investments that will never be justified by their immediate returns, except for the well-known densely populated and highly developed regions. Forming this vision requires a call for the spread of futures literacy and the adoption of strategic foresight methodologies for the higher good, at all levels in society.

William: For delivering coverage in areas where there currently is none, I believe that “high altitude platforms” have an important role to play. While concepts such as base stations on balloons have a history of failure, much as been learnt and new materials and ideas are leading to concepts such as tethered aerostats that promise to deliver rural coverage at about 1/100th of the cost of conventional towers as well as avoiding the myriad problems of building and maintaining towers in remote areas.
Another important concept is using all available networks – all cellular networks, Wi-Fi, satellite and high-altitude platforms. Bringing together all our resources in a seamless and optimised manner could quickly deliver much better connectivity without needing much investment.

What do you hope we achieve together with this panel?

Giovanni: I wish the panel will mark the start of a long term conversation among international experts, forming the inception of an open community that, through dialogue and the exchange of positions that might not even be immediately reconcilable, will be able to produce valuable support to decision makers in critical arenas around the globe.

William: This panel comprises some of the world’s leading thinkers and top executives in the communications world. By giving them a chance to briefly step back from their busy daily roles and think more broadly and further into the future than normal, then seeds may be planted which could germinate into new technologies, services and standards.
If the panel could become the first of many forums where global challenges were discussed and promising ideas taken away for development and implementation, then that would be a huge step forwards.

This month’s Executive Forum is the first in a series that will span topics and regions around the world. To learn more about the Marconi Society’s Executive Forum and other programs, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

We extend our deep appreciation to our sponsors for supporting this important event.

Gold Sponsors
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mimik
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Silver Sponsors
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IEEE
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Media Partner
Lepida

The post Looking to the Future: Creating a More Prosperous World with Broadband for All appeared first on The Marconi Society.

Click here for more information about the Digital Inclusion Leadership Certificate and its self-paced counterpart, Digital Inclusion Training.

Please tell us about your work and your role, particularly as it pertains to digital equity.

 I currently serve as Director of Strategic Initiatives at East Baltimore Development, Inc. (EBDI), the nonprofit organization charged with overseeing the $1.8 billion revitalization of an 88-acre portion of East Baltimore adjacent to the Johns Hopkins medical campus, now called Eager Park. At EBDI, I fill many roles related to the strategic planning, implementation and management of organization-wide programs and initiatives, including community initiatives, fundraising, grants management, communications, governance and project management.

Most of our community initiatives fall within what we call our Core Values. A few years ago, digital equity and access emerged as a top priority for the Eager Park community and EBDI leadership. In my role, I lead EBDI’s fundraising and project management efforts related to digital equity and actively seek opportunities—like the Digital Inclusion Leadership Certificate program offered by ASU and the Marconi Society—to enhance my knowledge of and contribute to this vital area.

What motivated you to enroll in the program?  What challenges were you trying to solve?

 When I learned about the Digital Inclusion Leadership Certificate program, there were only three days left before the registration deadline expired. Initially, I hesitated because I didn’t feel knowledgeable enough about digital inclusion to make such a commitment—I had a bit of imposter syndrome! However, after discussing it with a mentor and colleague, I realized that I knew more than I gave myself credit for and that this program could significantly enhance my understanding and capabilities.

The community we serve has clearly expressed that affordability, access, and skills training are among their top priorities in the realm of digital inclusion. I am committed to finding innovative solutions to these challenges. Thus, enrolling in the program was the logical next step toward arming myself with the knowledge and skills that would allow me to be a valuable resource to the community.

In what ways has the course equipped you with skills you need to address the challenges of digital inclusion in your community or organization?  What capabilities and skills have you learned or sharpened through the course?

 This course excels at laying a strong foundation for novices, experts and anyone in the middle. For example, in Module 2, we delved into the basics of network technology, which I found particularly valuable. The strategic placement of this module early in the course allowed me to grasp new terminology that would be crucial in subsequent lessons. This module also helped clear up some confusion and misconceptions I had about service providers, the technology they use, why they use it, and how these choices have contributed to the digital divide in Baltimore. Later, in Module 3, we explored asset mapping and leveraging coalitions and existing resources within our communities.

Together, these modules underscored the importance of understanding the historical context behind the digital divide in any given city. This knowledge is instrumental in identifying key stakeholders and potential partners to work with as we begin to address and reverse the effects of this divide.

Can you share a specific example or two of how the course content has been directly applicable to your work in digital equity or related areas?  If you have any metrics you can share with these examples, that is great.

 The course has been instrumental in enhancing my approach to creative problem-solving around the digital divide in East Baltimore. It has introduced me to practical shortcuts and temporary solutions that can be applied when conventional, preferred, or more expensive methods aren’t feasible.

For example, with the then-imminent sunset of the Affordable Connectivity Program, the course motivated me to explore alternative opportunities to increase internet affordability for East Baltimore residents. Module 4, which introduced the FCC’s national broadband map, was particularly enlightening, as it confirmed our research findings that, although East Baltimore residents have access and proximity to internet service, many of them still cannot afford to use it. Therefore, the course reinforced the importance of focusing on finding ways that residents can afford to use the infrastructure that already exists, including leveraging current resources to create new, free, or low-cost opportunities for the community.

Applying these insights, we are now exploring partnerships and funding opportunities to provide sustainable, affordable internet access for our residents.

 What aspects of the course content did you find most valuable, and why?

At the onset, I joined the program so that it could help me enhance and improve EBDI’s existing efforts toward digital inclusion. My favorite part of the course was engaging with others on the discussion board, which allowed me to compare East Baltimore’s struggles and successes with those in other regions.

However, the most valuable aspect of the discussion boards was realizing that our efforts in East Baltimore could also serve as a resource for others. I enjoyed sharing my knowledge and experiences with fellow digital inclusion advocates in the cohort. For instance, I was able to share EBDI’s white paper on the state of digital access in East Baltimore when it was published last spring, and I was able to discuss the results of a community survey we developed to better understand the barriers to digital access our residents face. These exchanges brought the learning experience beyond the course materials, creating a well-rounded and enriching program that allowed me to both learn from and contribute to the collective knowledge of the group.

How has the course influenced your approach to creating plans and managing infrastructure for digital equity, especially in light of federal and state initiatives?

The course has positively influenced my approach to planning and implementing our digital equity efforts by providing a clearer understanding of how to align our local initiatives with federal and state programs. I’ve gained a better appreciation for the importance of staying informed about policies and programs, such as Maryland’s Digital Equity Plan and the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, to ensure our strategies in East Baltimore are both timely and effective. The course also highlighted the benefits of developing adaptable plans that can make the most of available federal and state resources. It stressed the value of working together, not just within our community but also with local, state, and federal partners, to strengthen our efforts.

Overall, the course has encouraged me to focus on how our digital equity efforts can gradually evolve, ensuring they remain relevant and sustainable as new opportunities and challenges arise.

Click here for more information about the Digital Inclusion Leadership Certificate and its self-paced counterpart, Digital Inclusion Training. 

The post Bridging Access and Opportunity in East Baltimore appeared first on The Marconi Society.

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.

The post What You Need to Know About Digital Inclusion Now Recap appeared first on The Marconi Society.

Please tell us about your work and your role, particularly as it pertains to digital equity.

I am the Digital Equity and Inclusion Coordinator for the City of Long Beach, CA. My role consists of advancing digital inclusion services and programs, with the goal of bridging the digital divide so that our residents can participate in the digital world and digital economy and be civically engaged.

After working in the nonprofit sector for about six years and completing my master’s degree in public administration from California State University of Fullerton, I started my role in August 2023. I quickly learned about the various efforts the City of Long Beach is taking to bridge the digital divide, such as previously deploying $2.7 million in federal funding to implement digital inclusion programs and services. The city has prioritized the key focus areas of capacity, connectivity, and technology by developing the City’s Digital Inclusion Roadmap and partnering with our digital inclusion stakeholders.

My current role as the Digital Inclusion Coordinator involves working closely with our digital inclusion team to develop a digital inclusion implementation plan, prepare and apply for digital inclusion grants, and manage our digital inclusion programs and services.

What motivated you to enroll in the program?  What challenges were you trying to solve?

Before I started my career in local government, I was a program manager for six years at a local nonprofit organization providing mentoring services to at-promise youth in the Long Beach Unified School District in the City of Long Beach. When the pandemic started, I quickly learned how the digital divide impacted students, parents, and families who did not have access to reliable computing devices, internet services, or digital skills.

In August 2023, I started my career with the City of Long Beach, and Lea Eriksen, Director of the Technology and Innovation Department, shared an opportunity to participate in the Digital Inclusion Leadership Certificate program as a professional development opportunity so that I could learn more about the current state of digital equity and inclusion. Through the program, I learned from cross-sector professionals, which helped me better understand my current role.

In what ways has the course equipped you with the skills you need to address the challenges of digital inclusion in your community or organization?  What capabilities and skills have you learned or sharpened through the course?

Being new to digital inclusion, the course has helped me define key terms, understand the current state of digital inclusion, and prepare for upcoming federal funding opportunities. For example, learning about the history of digital redlining has helped me understand how the digital divide impacts communities in more ways than one, such as education, economic inclusion, health, and civic engagement. The program also emphasized the need to collaborate with cross-sector partners and implement hybrid solutions to address the digital divide in our communities. Through the course work, I have taken what I learned and applied it to our current digital inclusion efforts in the city.  

Can you share a specific example or two of how the course content has been directly applicable to your work in digital equity or related areas? 

Through the certificate program, I learned about the importance of asset mapping, which focuses on community strengths and fills gaps in available data like the American Community Survey. Additionally, I learned about the five key components of asset mapping. I have been able to apply what I learned by updating the city’s digital inclusion asset inventory and digital inclusion resource guides.

The city created a digital inclusion resource guide for Spanish, English, Khmer, and Tagalog, providing residents with information on free public Wi-Fi locations, digital skills training, low-cost computing devices, and low-cost internet service resources. I had the opportunity to work with three local trusted community-based organizations to update digital inclusion resource guides. When our digital inclusion team attends community events, we bring printed booklets for residents to take home. Additionally, when residents reach out to our digital inclusion resource hotline, our team is ready to connect them with the digital inclusion resources they need and often sends them the resource guide. Since 2020, our Digital Inclusion Resource Hotline has received over 2,600 inquiries.

Furthermore, this certificate program exposed me to different digital inclusion plans. As part of a learning exercise, I reviewed two-state or local digital inclusion plans and discussed their similarities and differences. Through this learning opportunity, I could apply what I learned by working with our team and cross-sector digital inclusion stakeholder committee partners and use feedback from residents who participated in past digital inclusion programs to develop the City of Long Beach Digital Inclusion Implementation Plan. The Digital Inclusion Implementation Plan outlines a detailed implementation strategy and key activities for bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to technology and the internet for all Long Beach residents per the City’s Digital Inclusion Roadmap. This Digital Inclusion Implementation plan was created in collaboration with the city’s multi-disciplinary cross-sector partners, including policymakers, community leaders, educators, community-based organizations (CBOs), and internet service providers. This plan will be used as a strategic guide to develop and implement digital inclusion programs and activities. We will release a final version of the plan at our upcoming Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Committee Meeting.  

What aspects of the course content did you find most valuable, and why?

I found that the class structure was ideal for my learning pace. Participants learn a great deal about digital inclusion as the topics can be broad. I enjoyed watching the videos and, reading the additional resources and then applying what I learned through an assignment. Each assignment had a clear purpose and tested my knowledge about the course material and my role as a digital inclusion coordinator in the City of Long Beach. This process helped me apply what I learned to my work. As someone new to digital inclusion, the assignments also helped me learn about my city’s past digital inclusion efforts and plan our next steps. Lastly, group discussions were invaluable as I learned from other digital inclusion practitioners who had just started their careers in digital inclusion or have been practicing for years.

How has the course influenced your approach to creating plans and managing infrastructure for digital equity, especially in light of federal and state initiatives?

The course influenced my approach by emphasizing the importance of partnerships in our digital inclusion efforts. For example, we have recently reconvened our digital inclusion stakeholder committee to collaborate on drafting our Digital Inclusion Implementation Plan, which outlines our key strategies and activities for the next few years. Through various meetings and opportunities for feedback, the city plans to release our implementation plan in early September. It has been crucial for us to seek out our stakeholder’s input and feedback to identify the digital inclusion barriers our residents face, create innovative solutions together, and strengthen our relationships with our partners.

We are also collaborating with the Los Angeles County Intergovernmental Broadband Coordinating Committee (IBCC), led by the first-ever Digital Equity Director, Rebecca Kauma. We are preparing for and applying for federal funding opportunities through the Digital Equity Act Competitive Programs. Our partnership with the IBCC will help the City and County create a highly competitive grant application so that we can launch various digital inclusion programs and services.

Click here for more information about the Digital Inclusion Leadership Certificate and its self-paced counterpart, Digital Inclusion Training.

The post Building Access and Connectivity in Long Beach appeared first on The Marconi Society.

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.

The post What You Need to Know About Digital Inclusion Now appeared first on The Marconi Society.

Click here for more information about the Digital Inclusion Leadership Certificate and its self-paced counterpart, Digital Inclusion Training.

What motivated you to enroll in the program?  What challenges were you trying to solve?

I am always trying to learn new things and I am also a very curious person. My motivation came from a desire to bridge the digital divide and promote equitable access to technology and digital resources. I recognize that many communities, particularly marginalized ones, face significant barriers to digital inclusion which impact their ability to access essential services, education, and employment opportunities. With the knowledge and skills learned in the program, I feel more confident in implementing effective strategies and initiatives to ensure that everyone, regardless of where in Colorado they live, their  socio-economic status, age, etc, can fully participate in this digital world.

How has the course equipped you with skills to address the challenges of digital inclusion in your community or organization?  What have you learned through the course?

I’ve learned how to effectively assess the digital needs of various communities, identify gaps, and engage stakeholders in the process. This skill is crucial for understanding the unique challenges faced by different populations across Colorado. 

The course explains broadband mapping, which is critical in evaluating digital inclusion and provides us with a very specific way to help communities understand exactly where we need to work together to address gaps. Our office holds Summer Roadshows to meet with  stakeholders to discuss their broadband plans and how we can collaborate for success.  We use maps to describe the state of broadband access in each region (example below). Now, community members in each region have a better idea of the number of underserved or unserved units in their community and the total amount of money they have received through the Capital Project Fund (CPF) Grant to increase connectivity.

Can you share a specific example or two of how the course content has been directly applicable to your work in digital equity or related areas? 

One specific example is including stakeholders that understand and comprehend the importance of broadband in their community into the conversation. When I was planning The Summer Broadband Roadshow that the Colorado Broadband Office holds in each Colorado region, I made sure that we invited key stakeholders with expertise about the role and value of broadband in their communities. This includes officials from local government, public safety organizations, school districts, healthcare facilities, community anchor institutions and others who are invested in the state’s broadband expansion and improvement. 

 What aspects of the course content did you find most valuable, and why?

Colorado has a diverse population that continues to grow. Learning effective methods to engage and involve diverse local communities was immensely valuable. To close the digital divide, it is crucial to understand the policy landscape. The skills I have gained in advocacy have been incredibly beneficial when supporting digital equity at a larger scale. 

How has the course influenced your approach to creating plans and managing infrastructure for digital equity, especially in light of federal and state initiatives?

The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program in Colorado will create an estimated 1,987 construction jobs and 1,591 telecommunications jobs by 2026. We are aware of a potential workforce shortage and the impact that it can have in deployment.  

A month ago, I was assigned as the Program Manager for the Colorado Broadband Office Workforce Group. I am working with stakeholders from the public and private sectors to analyze data, support grant writing, and other activities  to further ensure the workforce needed for a successful deployment of broadband in Colorado. This course has given me the confidence to use data to make informed decisions, measure success and use the metrics as an example of how we are closing the digital divide in Colorado. 

Click here for more information about the Digital Inclusion Leadership Certificate and its self-paced counterpart, Digital Inclusion Training. 

The post Empowering All Coloradans to Fully Participate in the Digital World appeared first on The Marconi Society.

A replay of this webinar is available here.

Strategic partnerships and innovative projects have led to success in fostering digital equity for residents of Missouri. Addressing the theme “Show Me Digital Equity,” representatives from key organizations in the Show-Me State shared how they are achieving measurable results in bridging the digital divide. Public engagement initiatives funded through the Digital Equity Act (DEA) and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) are providing the resources needed narrow the digital divide throughout Missouri. 

Dawn opened the webinar with an overview of MOREnet, the Missouri Research and Education Network. She described how MOREnet supports connectivity, cybersecurity, and professional development, providing network solutions, tool and resources for its 720 members who are all community anchor institutions. She then asked each of the panelists to briefly describe the digital equity initiatives within their organizations, and how they encourage community engagement and collaboration.

 D’Mitri: The Missouri Office of Broadband Development, established in 2018, was upgraded in 2021 from an “office of one” to one with a staff of about fifteen, administering over $2 billion in grant funds across four programs. The vision of the office is a Missouri where every citizen has broadband access and the ability to realize their full potential within the digital economy.

The Office of Broadband Development has been charged with developing a plan to ensure that the everyone in the state is able to get access to the digital resources they need. To understand community needs, the Office conducted a 41-site tour of the state over two years with support from University of Missouri Extension. The Office also works with MOREnet, the Missouri State Library, and local libraries to gather support in the communities and engage in promotional activities. Working together, these partners have achieved remarkable success in the effort to ensure digitally inclusive programming is available throughout Missouri.

Noah: The Office of Engagement reaches out to communities through all four universities in the University of Missouri System. Around 2017, a State Steering Committee was created in response to the push for internet adoption across the state. The Committee plays an important role in helping the Office of Broadband Development prepare federal grant applications for BEAD and DEA funding. These efforts include collecting information from targeted audiences through a household survey and focus groups conducted across the state. 

The Committee developed the MoBroadband.org website as a public resource to help Missourians connect to broadband. In addition, a connected community guide was created to collect local-level information on how to become digitally connected. Finally, a digital ambassador program trains volunteers to act as digital experts in their communities.

Robin: The Missouri State Library provides guidance and support for 160 public library districts within the state. Working with MOREnet, the Missouri State Library promotes digital literacy along with digital equity. In addition to funds coming through MOREnet, they administer federal funds to provide grants to public libraries in support of their technology needs.

Libraries play an important role in community outreach on digital equity and digital literacy. As trusted local organizations, local libraries are well positioned to “train the trainers” and function as a technology resource for the communities they serve. In addition to providing devices and network hotspots, libraries deliver the value-added education needed for people to overcome their fears and get online safely.

From discussions of community engagement and collaboration, the panel moved on to consider funding for digital equity, including public/private partnerships as well as state and federal funding. This was followed by observations on the impact of various digital equity programs and how results are measured. To close the webinar, Dawn asked each of the panelists to comment on future plans and what comes next for digital equity in their organization.

For the rest of this conversation, follow this link to the webinar recording.

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What motivated you to enroll in the Certificate program?  What challenges were you trying to solve?

At the end of 2022, our team was working on setting goals for the new year. We each set aside one goal focused on personal and professional development and I thought to myself – is there a program specifically about digital inclusion work where I can enhance my skills and knowledge? Through a few Google searches I discovered the Marconi Society and a page about the Digital Inclusion Leadership Certificate (DILC) Program. I signed up for the waitlist after reading about the program details, eagerly awaiting more information. 

When notice came later in 2023 that the first cohort would start in the summer, I quickly shared the information with my leadership to get approval for the course to count towards my professional development goal for the year. At the time, I was looking forward to meeting and learning about other professionals in the digital inclusion space and what leaders were working on in other parts of the country.

In what ways has the course equipped you with the skills needed to address the challenges of digital inclusion in your community or organization?

Exploring case studies and hearing from other digital inclusion leaders helped me see the true extent of the work in different parts of the country. The information was inspiring and sparked ideas of implementing Wi-Fi as a utility and expanding local partnerships. I appreciated the challenge of reviewing census data related to digital inclusion—I had never explored that context before.

Can you share a specific example or two of how the course content has been directly applicable to your work in digital equity or related areas?

 After the course I felt more confident in defining terms related to broadband infrastructure and better able to identify data useful for identifying community needs for broadband and digital devices. There was a convergence in thought for me, connecting policy with the daily work which felt so normal – providing residents in public housing with digital devices, digital skills training, and affordable Internet services. I learned that I could be a policy advocate for digital inclusion and work with my leadership team to make changes internally to our operations with contracted agencies.

 The DILC also allowed me to move into a digital inclusion leadership role less than six months after completing the course, moving from Digital Inclusion Program Specialist with the Chicago Housing Authority to Digital Equity Manager at the county level.

What aspects of the course content did you find most valuable, and why?

The case study interviews with digital inclusion leaders were extremely valuable to me. I especially found the Cleveland area case study to be inspiring. The progress made in the Cleveland communities related to millimeter wave and mesh technologies has really stuck with me in the months following the program. I recently attended Net Inclusion 2024 in Philadelphia where I was able to visit Philly Community Wireless which has similar technologies being deployed to those in Cleveland communities. It was amazing to see the infrastructure in person and have a strong understanding of the work being done.

How has the course influenced your approach to creating plans and managing infrastructure for digital equity, especially in light of federal and state initiatives?

The program showed me the importance of taking a human-centric approach. Each community has different needs and requires different buy-in from residents and partners. It also showed me that the work is being done at different scales in so many more places than I could have imagined when I first became involved with digital inclusion work. There are endless opportunities to learn from each other as we explore new ways to connect families to essential digital inclusion services. I am invigorated to continue the work and expand upon what is possible – thinking ahead to future generations and what may be needed as far as infrastructure, instruction, and devices. We are catching people up to current technology and connecting people to the future of technology at the same time. It is important that we stay aware of the work in the digital inclusion field and avoid tunnel vision on our own programs. I strive to be flexible in my understanding of digital inclusion practices and stay open to new opportunities to meet residents where they are related to technology and digital access.

Lake County is currently deploying several Digital Equity strategies in the county. If you are interested, you can review the county’s Broadband and Digital Equity Plan on the Digital Growth Initiative webpage. We are also accepting submissions for a new Digital Equity Coalition on the webpage. Share this link if you know of anyone who might be interested in participating, whether they’re individuals or organizations. 

 Digital Growth Initiative | Lake County, IL (lakecountyil.gov)

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