Digital Access and Equity Plan Process

Digital Divide in the
Pandemic and Beyond

• School / Education
• Vaccine Access
• Housing Stability
• Workforce Training
• Economic Development

Phases of Work

Everett

The Development of an Everett Digital Access and Equity Plan will: ​

Advise Capital Investment​​

Inform Policy Decisions​​

Identify Program Needs

Advisory Committee Role

Help us (MAPC) ground truth/see information from the community perspective

Provide feedback and response to proposed strategies

Assist in connecting with community members for the community needs assessment

Own this product and guide actions going forward

The Role of Municipal Government

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

The State???

Prioritize Allocation of Funding and Staff Resources

Coordinate Community and Private Sector Partners

Negotiate Cable Franchise Agreements

Permit Access to Public Rights of Way

Executive and Legislative Officals

Role of Municipal Partners in

Addressing the Digital Divide

Subsidized Internet Service and Device Programs

Digital Literacy Training

Public Computer Labs

School Districts, Libraries, & Community Partners

Role of Municipal Partners in

Addressing the Digital Divide

Public WiFi

Municipal Fiber Networks

Local Data Centers

IT / Planning Departments

Role of Municipal Partners in

Addressing the Digital Divide

Diagnosing the Problem

Research Findings from the Everett Digital Access Planning Process

Three Determining Factors of Digital Access

An Adequate Device

Literacy

Connection

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​

Connection 

Is it Fast?

30 – 40%
of households in Everett with internet access do not have "broadband" speeds​

Speed Sources: MLab, Microsoft US Broadband Usage, Demographic Source:  US Census ACS 5 Year, 2019

"I live in a 40 unit mid-rise and am told by the internet provider that most of the issues are because the wiring in the building is old.  The provider says it's not their problem. We have interruptions all the time, no notice, residents just start calling each other to see if they have wi-fi. Could be down for hours. I work from home and it's a real issue for me."

Is it Reliable?

Connection in Everett

~2,565 (15.8%)
Everett households lack internet service.​

62%
of survey respondents do not believe their internet service is affordable.

64%
of survey respondents have had to cancel or change their internet subscription because it is too expensive​

Speed Sources: MLab, Microsoft US Broadband Usage, Demographic Source:  US Census ACS 5 Year, 2019

"Necesitamos que el costo del internet sea mas justo

-

We need the cost of the internet to be fairer"

Household size further complicates things

Households by size in Everett

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

Devices in Everett

How accessible are devices?

33%
of survey respondents disagree with "People in my household always have access to a computer if needed."

About 65%
of Everett households with internet lease a router from their service provider

Device Source, Computers: US Census ACS 5 Year, 2019.  Device Source, Routers:  MAPC Survey - 5/26/21, Everett School District

"Our internet speed greatly improved after we bought our own router; the routers provided by our provider don't seem to be very good"

At least 326
Everett School District families may be relying on T-mobile hotspots for internet service

Digital Literacy in Everett

Using Technology

~82%
of survey respondents agree with "I feel confident in my ability to use a computer/laptop/Chromebook

~52%
of survey respondents agree with "I feel confident that I am able to resolve issues related to my internet connection"

Anecdotal information gleaned from stakeholder conversations indicates that there are serious concerns related to privacy, particularly among the immigrant population

Source:  MAPC Survey - 5/26/21

Internet Subsidies

~500,000
families in Massachusetts are eligible for Internet Essentials and the Emergency Broadband benefit fund

Comcast Internet Essentials Plan offers basic internet service for $10 / Month to income eligible households (SNAP, Free or Reduced Lunch, etc)

The Emergency Broadband Benefit program will subsidize $50 for all service plans - as of June 29th only 30,000 households in the program

Only 30,000
households have taken advantage of EBB since May 16 2021

Source:  Universal Services Administrative Co, National Center for Education Statistics, MAPC Digital Access Survey 6/29/2021

"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?"

Everett's

Infrastructure Assets

Copper wire slows the connection

Cable Providers in Everett

In 2011 Comcast had 10,603 Cable TV Subscribers.

In 2020 it had 7,000

In 2017 RCN had 2,171

Cable TV Subscribers.

In 2020 it had only 957

Source:  Mass DTC Form 500, 2011 - 2020

Incumbent Cable Franchise, Full Coverage in Everett

Competitive Cable Franchise, Limited Coverage in Everett

Comcast's Fiber Network In Everett

Let's Zoom In

Fiber

Cable

Lines

Cable

Why is it this way?

Cable infrastructure at the household level is likely impacting service and reliability.

Lack of competition, and shrinking cable service revenues are likely disincentives for investment from the private sector.

Individuals are likely using outdated or ineffective routers and devices.

Internet subscribers may not have the confidence or technical skills to trouble shoot internet speed or function issues.

Larger households who may need faster speed packages may be cost burdened and unable to afford those plans.

Individuals who are eligible for subsidized services may not be taking advantage of them due to a lack of information, trust, stable housing, documentation, or other structural and social factors.

Draft Recommendations

An Adequate Device

Literacy

Connection

Data exchange with Internet Service Providers will allow the school district to fully understand which households do not and can not be served by a wired connection.

DESE / Education Superhighway Bridge to Broadband Program

Draft Connection Recommendations

Funding available to deploy WiFi service in and near public properties.  Could be used to create the infrastructure needed for a larger community wide WiFi network.

Mass Broadband Institute Gateway City WiFi Grant

Confirm participation by Everett School District

Work with MAPC to develop program deployment

Release an RFI for Municipal Rooftop Use

Rooftops of municipal buildings could be leveraged by internet service providers like Starry and Netblazer to provide competitive options.

Inventory and RFP municipal roofs, focusing on tall or elevated properties

Next Steps

Draft Connection Recommendations

Understanding the options for Everett to facilitate investments in broadband infrastructure will be a critical next step to improving competition and service.

Explore Municipal Infrastructure Investments

Work with a consultant to evaluate technology options and required funding

Release an RFI for "Last Mile" Fiber Connections

Bringing fiber connections into residential buildings will improve speed and reliability for property tenants.

Review fiber maps and ID priority areas of Everett

Next Steps

Embed at least one Tech Goes Home instructor in every school and library in the City.  Ensure courses are offered in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and other community languages.

Brand Everett as a "Tech Goes Home" Community

Draft Literacy Recommendations

Digital Navigators can be embedded in municipal offices, healthcare facilities, schools, or other CBO's to provide direct technology and resource support to the community.

Respond to Digital Navigators RFI

Adopt brand as policy and assess funding requirements.

Coordinate a response to forthcoming MAPC RFI

Reposition Everett Community TV as a Digital Resource Hub

ECTV could leverage its existing equipment, knowledge, and space for digital content production and skill development.

Establish a community advisory board to develop a strategic plan for ECTV

Next Steps

The Emergency Connectivity Fund assists schools and libraries purchase technology equipment and internet service.  Funds should be leveraged to supporting wired connections whenever possible.

Apply for and Distribute Emergency Connectivity Fund Resources

Draft Device Recommendations

A Digital Equity Trust would be a sustained funding source to assist residents purchase devices such as PC's or routers, as well as internet subscriptions when subsidies are unavailable.

Establish a Digital Equity Trust Fund

Submit ECF applications from School District and Library

Establish a trust through legislative action.

Support the Creation of a Tech Refurbishment Center

A Tech Refurbishment program would divert e-waste, enable skill-building, and provide low-cost options for devices in the community.

Coordinate with private sector partners, Everett School District, and Workforce Board

Next Steps

Vision for Digital Access in Everett

Remove barriers to adoption that prevent universal access to reliable and high speed (100/100) internet.

Ensure all residents who desire to improve their digital / technology literacy have a pathway to educational opportunities at a range of skill levels, offered in community appropriate languages and settings.

Augment the capacity of key stakeholders such as IT Departments, School Districts, Libraries, Community based organizations, and municipal staff to address the digital divide

Promote competition among internet service providers offering broadband service.

Establish a Digital Equity Trust to Ensure Device and Service Access

A Digital Equity trust would be an established and sustained source of funds to support Everett residents purchase

• Laptop/desktop computers
• Routers
• Internet service when existing subsidies are unavailable.

Release an RFI for pilot "last mile" fiber connections in underserved areas of the City.

Bringing fiber connections into residential buildings will improve speed and reliability for property tenants.  The City of Everett can leverage public funds made available through ARPA and the State's IT Bond Bill to support these connections and associated wiring, which may enable longer term competition initiatives.

Brand Everett as a Tech Goes Home Community.

Expand on the current Tech Goes Home pilot program with the Everett school district to ensure that every library and school district in the City has at least one Tech Goes Home trained instructor, offering classes in English and languages such as Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Continuing the Journey

Explore Strategies to Increase Broadband Competition with Regional Partners

 Understanding the options for Everett to facilitate investments broadband infrastructure to improve competition will be a critical next step to taking advantage of potential state and federal funding.

Reposition Everett Community Television as a Digital Access Hub

Everett Community TV's serves as an important resource in the community for the distribution of information and community resources.  ECTV could leverage it's existing equipment, knowledge, and space towards digital content production and resource/skill development.

Connect Digital Access to Workforce Development Opportunities