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Round-Up for the Week of June 26-30, 2023

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are currently working on digital equity plans. As they release draft plans seeking public feedback, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is sharing summaries focused on how states define their digital divides and their vision for reaching digital equity.

In July 2023, the Michigan High-Speed Internet (MIHI) Office released the state's draft Digital Equity Plan. The state outlines how it will work to bring broadband to its residents–and the opportunities that come with high-speed internet access. Michigan reminds us that there will never be a one-size-fits-all solution to digital equity and that grassroots organizing, community-led conversations, and state action must be done in tandem to close the digital divide.

Michigan's Vision of Digital Equity

Broadband in the 21st century is a necessity yet much of Michigan remains without access to an affordable, or reliable broadband connection. The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) recognizes the importance of broadband access to its citizens which promotes economic opportunity, educational attainment, health outcomes, and civic engagement. MIHI envisions a connected and inclusive state where every resident has an affordable high-speed internet connection available to them regardless of where they live, how much money they make, or what they look like. Digital equity in Michigan looks like state-wide universal broadband availability, affordable broadband subscription plans for middle- and low-income households, at least one internet-enabled device per household, inclusive training and technical support services for devices, digital skills, and personal cybersecurity.

Digital equity is not something that can be accomplished with a one-size-fits-all approach. The needs of each corner of the state vary tremendously, as do they vary from household to household. MIHI will not be satisfied with a blanket approach to digital equity wherein each region of the state has the same solution to close the divide. Digital equity means meeting communities and people where they are, connecting them to the resources that already exist, learning about problems that persist, and providing community-level technical support to encourage accessibility and promote adoption.

Communities know communities best. Our vision is to approach the digital divide by employing a grassroots strategy where communities lead the conversation and work toward solutions in tandem with MIHI and other state agencies. By building off the existing work community leaders already have in place and resources available locally, and by providing support for technical assistance, by fostering connections between communities and existing programs and services (state, regional, or otherwise), while following a coordinated approach, Michigan will close the digital divide by 2030.

Barriers to Achieving Digital Equity

As of 2023, more than 492,000 Michigan households are unserved (locations without 25/3 Megabits per second service available) or underserved (locations without 100/20 Mbps service available) by high-speed internet infrastructure. Another 730,000 Michigan households face barriers related to affordability, adoption, device access, digital literacy, or a combination thereof. Taken together, this means that approximately 30 percent of Michigan households struggle with some form of the digital divide. MIHI has actively been working with internal and external agencies to ensure that Michiganders are aware of the programs and resources that can subsidize internet service plans and internet-enabled devices.

The MIHI Office recognizes that the following challenges exist for Michiganders: availability of affordable high-speed internet, accessible internet-enabled devices, and digital skills. Addressing these barriers across all sectors is essential. The Needs Assessment/MI Connected Future Listening Tour of 31 cities highlighted some critical data points regarding the barriers. The 778 surveys collected during the Listening Tour, produced the following:

• 553 of the attendees ranked Availability as the most challenging barrier. Availability was defined as: having internet service providers and speeds that meet the needs of the household
• Affordability was identified by 172 of the participants as the highest priority challenge. Affordability was defined as: internet service plans in the area meet the household needs of participants and fit within the household monthly budget
• 25 participants ranked having applicable digital skills (Tech Savvy) needed to use internet-enabled devices as the highest priority
• Having access to internet-enabled devices was ranked a high priority for 8 participants

Strategy and Objectives

To accomplish Michigan's digital equity vision, MIHI aims to employ a holistic strategy focused on meeting the needs of communities by community members themselves. MIHI will serve as a resource and provide support to remove barriers. Partnership with existing state agencies and communities will be paramount to maximizing the reach of the federal Digital Equity Act (DEA) and its subsequent funding.

Outlined below are the strategies which MIHI will utilize to close the digital divide in Michigan, followed by how MIHI will measure the progress of the goals with key performance indicators (KPIs). The KPIs are crucial to measuring the success of the holistic approach and effectiveness of closing the digital divide for Michiganders by focusing on the availability of and affordability of access to, fixed and wireless broadband technology, the online accessibility and inclusivity of public resources and services, digital literacy, securing online privacy of individuals, and the availability and affordability of consumer devices and technical support for those devices.

Michigan's Goals

I. Ensure all Michiganders have access to an affordable, reliable high-speed internet connection at their home

Strategy: Collaborate and align efforts between DEA-planned activities with BEAD-planned activities and partner with communities, Tribal governments, and state agencies to align similar goals and timelines for infrastructure deployment and digital equity initiatives.

II. Attract workers and employers to Michigan

Strategy: Coordinate, partner, and support existing workforce development strategies and programs housed within the LEO and other relevant state agencies.

III. Improve educational attainment including removing barriers for credentialed workers and in postsecondary achievement

Strategy: Collaborate and partner with the Michigan Department of Education to elevate online learning opportunities and additional pathways to digital skills development for adults.

IV. Improve overall health outcomes, particularly with improvement in rural areas and in underrepresented populations

Strategy: Coordinate and collaborate with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to monitor health outcomes pre- and post-deployment of broadband projects in rural and underrepresented communities.

V. Educate Michiganders about the online services available to them as a citizen

Strategy: Coordinate and collaborate with the Michigan Department of State to provide trainings to Michiganders about their digital citizenship.

Key Performance Indicators

Below are the key performance indicators (KPIs) by which MIHI will measure the effectiveness of the Digital Equity Act implementation plan. Each KPI will be measured on a scale that will indicate zero when the digital divide has been closed. The baseline for each of the below KPIs will be determined as part of the initial phase of the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant and the short-term goals will be determined following the results of the baseline, however, the long-term goal for each will be to reach zero thereby indicating the digital divide has been closed. The data for KPIs is a combination of public data sources including the American Community Survey, the Federal Communications Commission, and the U.S. census bureau's Computer Use Survey.

The availability of, and affordability of access to fixed and wireless broadband technology

1. An affordability score that combines three data sets:
   1. Internet-income ratio developed as part of Purdue University’s Digital Divide Index (measured by each covered population in each region)
   2. The ratio between the FCC’s Benchmark Rate for 100/20 Mbps unlimited internet service and what each covered population in each region would pay for home internet service
   3. Percentage of households who temporarily lost their internet connection due to inability or difficulty paying for the subscription (measured by each covered population in each region)

The online accessibility and inclusivity of public resources and services

1. A digital government accessibility score
   1. Likelihood of each covered population to access government services online as compared to how likely they are to use telehealth, online banking, or online consumer services

Digital literacy

1. A digital participation score that combines two things:
   1. Proportion of each covered population in each region that struggles to use computers or internet devices
   2. Likelihood of each covered population is to do various online tasks versus the overall statewide average

Awareness of, and the use of, measures to secure the online privacy of, and cybersecurity with respect to an individual

1. A Digital Security Score that combines two things:
   1. The percentage of each covered population in each region which has refrained from one or more online activities due to cybersecurity concerns
   2. The percentage of each covered population in each region which doesn’t use the internet at all due to cybersecurity or privacy concerns

The availability and affordability of consumer devices and technical support for those devices

1. A Device Distress Score for each covered population in each region that compares:
   1. Percentage of homes with no computing device at all
   2. Percentage of homes with only a smartphone
   3. Percentage of homes where someone was unable to use a computer five or more days during the last six months because someone else was using it/it was elsewhere/it was otherwise inaccessible

Digital Navigator Implementation Plan

The main vehicle for closing the digital divide in Michigan will be through the implementation of a robust community Digital Navigator program. Navigators will serve communities they live in. Information from state agencies pertaining to online accessibility of services, new opportunities for workforce or education, and affordable internet service plans and devices will be disseminated to communities through these digital navigators. MIHI recognizes that community members know their communities best. The goals and planned activities of the Digital Navigator System are as follows.

Affordability

Priorities

• Empowering communities through engagement and involvement
• Leveraging community inputs to drive program planning and implementation
• Developing an approach for communities to define infrastructure and equity programs roll out
• Including evidence of community support as part of subprogram requirements and partnerships for infrastructure deployment
• Community involvement activities to ensure alignment between local plans and state plans

Activities

• Digital Navigators will be placed in statewide libraries and other CAIs to support local, low-cost broadband opportunities
• MIHI will utilize an Intake Form for each participant to provide insight on related points for the participants’ Affordability Score
• Promotion of low-cost broadband services to community members at host sites, events, etc.
• Participate in local broadband-related events and meetings (i.e., broadband task force, committees)
• Evaluate the progress of adoption for community members who indicated affordability or availability as a barrier to adoption

Accessibility

Priorities

• Empowering individuals to utilize online services available from their health care provider, financial institution, or other online services as needed (i.e. Secretary of State appointments)
• Targeting covered populations, particularly geographically isolated, and low-income households, to take advantage of the online services available to them to reduce unnecessary expenses relating to transportation or lost wages for services that can be conducted online

Activities

• Analyze web services available throughout the state and create a resource bank of offerings available from the state for enrollment into assistance programs relating to workforce, education, healthcare access, and general civic engagement.
• Utilize Intake Form for each participant to provide insight on related points for the participants’ baseline Digital Government Accessibility Score
• Measure progress periodically and at program exit
• Analyze web services available throughout the region and create a bank of resources available from the region’s healthcare systems, financial institutions, Tribal resources, municipal and county governments, and education institutions
• Provide tailored resource guides for industry improvement of websites for improving their government accessibility score

Digital Skills and Digital Literacy

Priorities

• Promoting Digital Equity and Digital Literacy
• Targeting covered populations that are economically distressed, geographically distressed areas, historically underrepresented and uninvested
• Supporting non-deployment subprograms that promote digital equity and literacy
• Developing awareness strategies that improve digital literacy engagement and enrollment through marketing and communication

Activities

• Partner with the State of Michigan Library to identify and employ a digital skills training platform for adults
• Partner with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to promote digital skills competencies among K-12 students
• Analyze regional and covered population data to focus resources in areas with lower rates of digital literacy
• Evaluate digital literacy levels among participants in Digital Navigator-led activities
• Convene a workgroup comprised of MIHI and MDE staff to provide quarterly status updates on the status of digital literacy in Michigan among covered populations in K-12, postsecondary, and adult learning environments.

Individual Cybersecurity

Priorities

• Target covered populations, specifically aging individuals, geographically isolated individuals, and formerly incarcerated individuals
• Utilize Intake Form for each participant to provide insight on related points for the participants’ Digital Security Score
• Empower individuals to utilize online services available to them with confidence to keep their information safe and to minimize unnecessary expenses relating to transportation or lost wages for services that can be conducted online

Activities

• Develop a communications strategy to promote safe online practices to targeted populations
• Utilize practical examples of good cyber-hygiene to model behavior among target populations
• Coordinate with the Michigan Department of State and other relevant state agencies to communicate best practices when engaging online to protect personal information
• Convene/attend relevant workgroups with appropriate state agencies to report the status of, and progress toward KPI, specifically among targeted populations

Device Access and Affordability

Priorities

• Target covered populations, specifically aging individuals, individuals with disabilities, formerly incarcerated individuals, and low-income households
• Coordinate outreach (and in-reach in the case of incarcerated individuals) and communication about how to purchase low-cost, refurbished, or access free devices meeting the needs of the individual

Activities

• Partner with internal and external organizations currently refurbishing internet-enabled devices to expeditiously distribute devices to targeted populations
• Utilize Intake Form for each participant to provide insight on related points for the participants’ baseline Device Distress Score
• Encourage responsible device ownership including the promotion of digital skills and cyber-hygiene best practices with every device
• Coordinate with MDE to promote responsible device usage among K-12 students, post-secondary, and adult learners
• Monitor the progress of device distress score on an annual basis in alignment with data sources

Michigan Wants to Hear From You

Public comments on Michigan's draft Digital Equity Plan can be submitted to the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office here until August 15, 2023.

Quick Bits

• The Affordable Connectivity Program: Additional Funding from Congress is Needed Before Year End 2023
• Internet providers that won FCC grants try to escape broadband commitments
• Underline's affordable fiber program challenges incumbents
• Broadband Subsidy Programs Help Deliver Affordable Internet Access

Weekend Reads (resist tl;dr)

• Elon Musk Tries to Silence Independent Researchers Center for Countering Digital Hate
• Outcry Against AI Companies Grows Over Who Controls Internet’s Content
• Rural Texas may lose out on billions in broadband infrastructure funding due to federal regulations
• Tri-Caucus Chairs Urge Biden-Harris Administration to Replenish Funding for Affordable Connectivity Program to Bridge Digital Divide

ICYMI from Benton

• Visions of Digital Equity
• Visions of Digital Equity Principles
• Community Technology and Digital Equity
• Montana's Five-Year Plan for BEAD Funding

Upcoming Events

August 10––Broadband Technologies Overview (Illinois Broadband Lab)

August 11––ACP Data Tools and Dashboards Deep Dive (National Digital Inclusion Alliance)

August 17––Technological Advisory Council (FCC)

August 20––Fiber Connect 2023 (Fiber Broadband Association)

Sept 7––Disability Advisory Committee Meeting (FCC)

Sept 27-28––Oregon Infrastructure Summit (Business Oregon)

Oct 2-6––Digital Inclusion Week 2023 (NDIA)

Oct 24––41st Annual Everett C. Parker Lecture & Awards Breakfast (United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry)

Nov 15-17––U.S. Broadband Summit (Fierce)

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities.

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