Digital Inclusion Heroes

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“Functional Internet access is essential for full participation in society.”
“Broadband Internet access service is essential to education, public health, and public safety.”
Although many of you have known this for quite some time, some people may have dismissed these proclamations as mere rhetorical flourishes. Now they are the findings of the Federal Communications Commission, the primary authority for U.S. communications laws, regulation and technological innovation. Adding broadband to the list of the services that are supported by Federal universal service support mechanisms, the FCC decided, is consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity. Hallelujah! We all fully expect the FCC’s decision to impact millions of lives, extending the benefits of broadband to people who, frankly, have faced the very real choice between an Internet connection or being able to put food on the table. I don’t discount that; I ask that, just for a moment, we consider the policy impact of the FCC’s Lifeline order. Here’s some more language drawn from the FCC’s decision:
“It is imperative for us to include broadband Internet access service as a supported service.”
“The importance of broadband Internet to our Nation makes it critical that every American has access to the Internet.”
“Broadband access is of critical importance for consumers of all incomes. Surveys show that when households have the means, they connect to the Internet at home at rates upward of 95 percent.”
Again, these aren’t my rhetorical flourishes, this is the FCC setting national policy – broadband for all. Now the FCC’s Lifeline reforms will help tackle the primary obstacle to broadband adoption. As the Order reads, “We adopt reforms to make the Commission’s Lifeline program a key driver of the solution to our Nation’s broadband affordability challenge.” But the FCC’s decision wisely goes beyond affordable wires. The FCC gets it. The FCC understands that there are additional, serious barriers to broadband adoption. The FCC understands that we are not just connecting people to wires for the wire’s sake – we are connecting people and information to ensure every community, every household has access to opportunity. Beyond an affordable connection, people need knowledge of broadband’s potential, digital literacy and 21st century skills to make full use of the many benefits of the Internet. Yes, the FCC gets that we need Digital Inclusion. The work of the Digital Inclusion heroes in this room – and their colleagues around the country – is the next step for low-income consumers, seniors, immigrants and many more to fully participate in our increasingly digital society. The FCC gets that and is asking for help in writing a Digital Inclusion plan. With the formation of National Digital Inclusion Alliance, with Angela Siefer’s strong leadership, with the convening of The National Digital Inclusion Summit, this is the perfect moment to begin this conversation.


Digital Inclusion Heroes