Digital Divide

This study examines how municipal governments have constructed the concept of digital equity through textual evidence, the digital equity plans of Kansas City (MO), Portland (OR), San Francisco (CA), and Seattle (WA). Adopting an approach from critical discourse studies, comparative analysis of the texts demonstrates how digital equity plans conceive of digital equity, characterize current problematic circumstances, and prescribe actions to make change.

As far back as 2012, broadband infrastructure was part of the master planning process for Gilbert (AZ), a Phoenix suburb with a population of about 270,000. The fiber has provided reliable, fast connectivity for the town’s operations, including emergency services such as fire and police. Now, Gilbert officials are working to provide broadband access to residents and businesses to expand options and make the town a more attractive place to live and work.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel sent letters to Reps Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), James Comer (R-KY) and Kay Granger (R-TX) on January 14, 2022, responding to their letter that asked for information on FCC efforts to coordinate with other agencies on broadband funding. Rosenworcel said the FCC collaborated with various federal and state agencies on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, COVID-19 Telehealth Program and Emergency Connectivity Fund.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel responded to Sens Roger Wicker (R-MS) and John Thune (R-SD) and Reps Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Robert Latta (R-OH) on January 7, 2022, regarding their letter about the FCC’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) report on fraudulent enrollments by providers in the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program.

Sens Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) led a bipartisan and bicameral group of 45 lawmakers in calling for the extension of expanded coverage of telehealth services to be included in must-pass legislation in February 2022. Provisions from the Schatz-authored CONNECT for Health Act were included in previous COVID-19 relief legislation to allow Medicare beneficiaries in all areas of the country, and in their homes, to utilize telehealth services and to expand the types of health care providers eligible to provide telehealth.

Qualified internet service providers and electric membership cooperatives providing internet service can now apply for up to $350 million in grants to expand broadband infrastructure in North Carolina and get more people connected to high-speed internet. Funds from the federal American Rescue Plan are being used to provide the largest-ever round of Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grants available in North Carolina.

The recently named director for Missouri's Office of Broadband Development has been advocating for increased internet connectivity for years. Formerly working as the Missouri Farm Bureau's director of state and local legislative affairs, BJ Tanksley has witnessed the effects the lack of broadband has on thousands of Missourians firsthand. Tanksley was named director of the office in the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) in mid-January 2022 and will lead the state's efforts to implement Gov Mike Parson (R-MO)'s plan to invest more than $400 million in broadband.

A guidebook to help state, local, Tribal and territorial governments unlock the benefits from the historic investments in US infrastructure. The guidebook is a roadmap to the funding available under the law, as well as an explanatory document that shows direct federal spending at the program level. The White House has also published an accompanying data file that allows users to quickly sort programs funded under the law by fields like agency, amount, recipient, or program name. The guidebook contains 12 chapters grouping Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act programs by issue area.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced it has awarded three additional grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. These grants, totaling $1.5 million, are being awarded to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians in Lincoln (OR) and two Alaskan villages: the Village of Clarks Point and the Native Village of Selawik.

"Last year, Congress passed the [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act], which includes more than $42 billion in grants to states and territories focused on funding high-speed broadband deployment to households and businesses that currently lack access to these services," said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to the National Governor's Association. "States will soon have access to initial planning funds, which will help inform a five-year action plan. We need you to start preparing for this program now.