Digital Equity

Plus, a Florida city is expanding public Wi-Fi in parks, Connecticut released its biannual broadband report, libraries around the country will offer digital literacy training, and more.

This year, local and state governments increased access to digital services for people with disabilities, in part due to a new ruling from the DOJ.

Plus, North Carolina launched a new website to support digital inclusion, Massachusetts is investing in connecting public housing properties, CISA issued mobile communications guidance, and more.

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program has seen significant advances in 2024, and its program director expects this path will continue in 2025 under a new presidential administration.

The money will support the creation of the 2025 Sawyer Free Library Digital Learning Lab, designed to bridge the digital divide and equip the community with essential 21st-century skills at the newly renovated library.

Plus, the Federal Communications Commission is pushing for greater network security measures after a cyber attack, additional funding has been awarded through the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, and more.

Plus, Kansas will soon open funding applications to expand connectivity, a Colorado county is receiving federal funding for broadband, the economic benefits of improving Internet access in Harlan County, Ky., and more.

Plus, more states have been awarded federal funding from the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, and the city of Boulder, Colo., has announced a new partnership to expand community broadband.

Kiowa and Elizabeth, Colo., are the state's first communities to get high-speed Internet as a result of its nearly $1 billion allocation of federal broadband funds. The goal is to connect 99 percent of households statewide by 2027.

Plus, the industry reacts to a new Federal Communications Commission chairperson, a North Carolina partnership with 211 aims to connect people to information in an emergency, and more.

As part of its Connected Learning initiative to help address the digital divide, AT&T donated laptops through the nonprofit Human-I-T to be distributed to pre-selected college students in need.

Plus, Oregon announces more than $100 million in funding for broadband, more states have been awarded federal funding, a new report aims to support nonprofit organizations in their digital equity work, and more.

Francesca Ioffreda has a long list of job experiences that include consulting and economic development. She will lead a team funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies — an effort her new employer expects other states to imitate.

Buoyed by a $102,000 state grant, a City Council working group on digital equity is helping develop a plan to ensure improved access to technology. Officials are also working with residents on a digital equity plan.

Plus, additional states have been awarded federal funding from the Digital Equity Act; St. Louis, Mo., is installing free Wi-Fi in parks; Yolo County, Calif., preserves free digital literacy classes in Spanish; and more.

Winning cities in the 2024 Digital Cities Survey are not only modernizing their IT infrastructure — they're investing in digital equity programs, upgrading resident-facing services and prioritizing data security.

Plus, Massachusetts is investing in digital skills training; a partnership in Scranton, Pa., aims to create a universal network; the Federal Communications Commission looks to drive tribal participation in E-rate; and more.

Plus, Hawaii has launched a broadband mapping initiative, Boston has announced more than $1 million for digital equity, and more.