Agenda

Measuring Digital Equity Gaps

Federal Funding Outline

How you can get involved!

Digital Equity Projects Supported by MBI

Defining Digital Equity

About MBI

Meeting Goals

Establish a shared understanding of Digital Equity and Access concepts.

Identify ways session attendants can begin to engage in addressing Digital Equity gaps on the Cape.

Outline the future State and Federal Broadband / Digital Equity funding

Who's Job is it to Solve the Digital Divide?

Planners

Libraries

School Districts

IT Directors

Housing Authorities

Healthcare Providers

Workforce Boards

Community Based Organizations

Elected Officials

Private Sector

 

MBI’s mission is to make affordable high-speed Internet available to all homes, businesses, schools, libraries, medical facilities, government offices, and other public places across the Commonwealth. MBI works closely with key stakeholders to bridge the digital divide in Massachusetts.

MBI provided OpenCape with $5 million in state matching funds that helped OpenCape to leverage a $32 million federal stimulus award in 2010.

 

MBI has also established free public WiFi hotspots in a number of Cape Cod communities

Defining

Digital Equity

Digital Equity:

• Digital equity is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services.

Source: National Digital Inclusion Alliance

Three Determining Factors of Digital Access

Connection

Adequate Device

Literacy

Fast​

Affordable​

Router​

Personal Computer /Laptop

Use of Technology​

Ensuring functioning equipment​

Evaluating quality of information and privacy risks​

Implications

Digital Equity Gaps Impact:

• Social Connectivity
• Workforce Readiness
• Civic Participation
• Healthcare Access
• Educational Opportunities
• Financial Resources

And more...

 

 

"There is increasing evidence demonstrating a strong relationship between broadband access, Internet adoption, and health outcomes.  As such, fostering digital equity and health equity are inextricably intertwined"

- FCC Connect2Health Task Force

Measuring Digital Equity Gaps

Is Broadband Access Available?

Is Broadband Access Fast?

~9,366 (10%) of Barnstable County Households Lack an Internet Subscription

Household Income Less than $20k

Household Income $20k - $75k

Household Income $75k+

Source: US Census, ACS 5 Year, 2020

Is Broadband Access Affordable?

Household size further complicates things

For 1-2 people, internet should be at least 25-50 Mbps

 

$10-$30 per month

For 3-4 people, internet should be at least 50-100 Mbps

 

$35-$50 per month

For 5+ people, internet should be at least 200-500 Mbps

 

$50-$70 per month

Source:  US Census ACS 2019 5 Year, AllConnect

Internet Subsidies

Many families in Massachusetts are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program

 

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides a $30 subsidy for all service plans of participating providers. Eligibility criteria include:

• Income Eligibility - 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
• Participation in government assistance programs:
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance
  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

 

Only 210,000
households have taken advantage of ACP since May 16 2021

Source:  Universal Services Administrative Co, FCC

"سمعت بأن شركة كومكاست توفر انترنت مجاني لأصحاب الدخل المحدود .هل هذا صحيح؟

-

I heard that internet service companies provide free internet to people with limited income. Is this true?"

Literacy

No standard way to assess digital literacy. The best way to get information on user literacy is through survey and direct community engagement.

Source: Hawaii Digital Literacy Survey Report, 2021

Continuum of Digital Literacy

Source: MAPC Digital Equity Survey, 2021

Adequate Device

Source: NTIA, Microsoft

Other Resources

NTIA Indicators of Broadband Need Map

Microsoft Digital Equity Data Dashboard

Bridging the Digital Divide

Sample Projects Supported by MBI

Apartment WiFi Internet Access

• Housing Authority buys 1 high-speed internet connection. WiFi Access Points in common areas are linked to connection.

 

• Residents can access free, high-speed internet in their apartments.

 

• Technical assistance provided by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to the Chelsea Housing Authority – Prattville Apartments

Neighborhood Mesh Networks

• Partnership between Essex County Community Foundation and North Shore CDC

 

• Established a free WiFi network between 30 buildings

 

• Serves both residents and small businesses

 

• Paired with digital literacy and device distribution programs

Telehealth Navigator

• Emerging role in the healthcare field, designed to support telehealth as well as patient digital literacy.

 

• Exploring the connection with the Community Health Worker field.

 

• Being implemented at North Shore Community Health Center and Lynn Community Health Center.

ACP Outreach and Adoption

• $30 federal broadband subsidy for income-eligible households.

 

• Registration is complicated and many populations require support.

 

• MBI is supporting Moroccan American Connections in Revere and Make it Haverhill to register individuals and households.

Device Distribution

• In parntership with the MassHire Career Centers, MBI has deployed 5,609 Chromebooks to job seekers and supported 1,583 MassHire clients access Digital Literacy programs

Federal Funding Outline

 Digital Equity Funding Opportunities

State Digital Equity Fund:

$50 million

 

Legislature passed a bill that establishes Digital Equity Broadband Adoption Program with ARPA funds, which the Mass Broadband Institute will administer.

Component of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), designates $2.75 billion to be focused on Digital Equity activities.

 

Established for planning & implementation of programs that promote digital equity, support digital inclusion activities, and build capacity related to the adoption of broadband

Federal Digital Equity Act:

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program

$42.45 billion

 

Formula-based grant program for US States and Terrritories - BEAD aims to close the access gap for unserved and underserved areas of the country.

 

BEAD program requirements include workforce development planning, MWBE procurement, and high labor standards.