The Right Time for a National Digital Inclusion Alliance

[Commentary] There is a clear need among non-profit organizations and libraries for a national broadband adoption advocacy organization. Three federal agencies (National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Housing and Urban Development, Federal Communications Commission), plus the White House, are focusing significant attention and possibly significant resources on broadband adoption. How significant the resources will be could depend upon strong advocacy by broadband adoption practitioners in non-profit organizations and libraries. To meet this need, I am pleased to announce the creation of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, and an opportunity to work together on common broadband challenges. Key Polices That Can Increase Broadband Adoption in the United States:

1. The FCC plans to initiate a rulemaking process in summer 2015 to include broadband as an allowable use of Lifeline funds for low-income Americans. Lifeline currently provides a discount on phone service for qualifying low-income consumers. An expanded Lifeline program with funding available to support the cost of broadband for low-income consumers could be incredibly helpful to raising broadband adoption rates in the United States.
2. The President’s interagency Broadband Opportunity Council (BOC) sought public comment on how federal agencies can promote broadband deployment, adoption, and competition. The Council, which is comprised of 25 federal agencies, is tasked with developing a framework of recommendations to explore ways to remove unnecessary regulatory and policy barriers, incentivize investment, and align funding polices and decisions to support broadband access and adoption. The BOC’s Request for Comments provided an opportunity for NDIA to gain public attention (and action!) on specific ways federal agencies can modernize current programs to increase broadband adoption without Congressional action. Comments were due June 10, 2015, and NDIA submitted comments with specific suggestions on how a variety of programs can be modernized to include support for public access, home broadband service and local training and support.

The evidence is clear. To successfully increase broadband use in the US we must have low-cost options AND local training/support, including a diverse set of local partners with established roots in the community.

[Angela Siefer is the Director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance]
[Benton Foundation's Director of Policy, Amina Fazlullah, is part of the Digital Inclusion Alliance's Founding Council]