The Other Side of the Divide: Urban Broadband Access

Urban communities face unique challenges in effectively gaining broadband access, which primarily involve affordability and literacy. As government agencies plan for federal broadband distribution opportunities, there are steps to take to ensure digital inclusion efforts reach urban communities, those working in the space contend. The main factors impeding adoption are both affordability and digital literacy. On the affordability side, device ownership, and specifically having the ability to own both a cellphone and a computer, are crucial to being connected in this digital age. By partnering with trusted community-based organizations, urban communities can get the information that they need through an organization that has a history of serving a particular community or population. To ensure urban communities are connected, government agencies and other organizations looking to get started in digital empowerment work start by advocating for Internet service providers to bring high quality Internet to urban communities. Second, advocating for the type of subsidy programs that support these communities by providing access to discounted services or programs that enable access to devices.