From draft Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan (released September 2023)
Vision:
All Wisconsinites will have equitable access to affordable broadband service and the capacity to fully engage in a digital society. High-speed broadband will benefit all residents and communities.
Mission and Values:
The Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan coalesces around five core values that capture the many pieces that are needed to achieve true digital equity across the state. Goals and their respective detailed objectives within this plan are organized under these core values. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) and its partners will engage in activities pursuing these goals prioritizing the following five core digital equity values:
- Access: Expanding high speed internet access to every residence, business, and institution in the state. All Wisconsin residents require access to high speed, reliable internet service to meet their specific needs and fully engage in today’s evolving digital society.
- Affordability: Ensuring broadband and key digital services are affordable for all. Across all geographies, demographics, and levels of access to broadband service, affordability is the largest barrier to adoption of internet service in Wisconsin.
- Adoption: Ensuring all residents can connect to the internet, with the appropriate accessible, internet-enabled devices, skills, information, and services specific to their needs in real time. Not only do Wisconsinites need access to affordable internet service, but they also require resources and services to ensure there is equity in adoption based on residents’ specific needs.
- Trust: Providing readily accessible resources and supports to build trust with communities and ensure all feel safe when accessing the internet. All Wisconsinites and covered populations—particularly new adopters of internet service—need more trusted resources and support to increase confidence in accessing the internet and needed online services safely.
- Sustainability: Supporting intentional activities and investments for ongoing device access, digital skills education, and affordable broadband subscriptions. Wisconsin and its covered populations will require sustained efforts to meet both the funding required to reduce equity gaps and to respond to the evolving digital equity needs of communities.