Back in 2024––October, to be exact––the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) over $22 million through the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program to implement its Digital Connectivity Plan. According to NTIA, two of GTA's priorities are deploying Digital Navigators to help access online education, health, financial, and government services, and expanding access to digital devices, such as upgrading public computer labs and device loan programs. Here we take a look at the full timeline of activities that GTA outlined in its Digital Connectivity Plan.

Phases of Implementation

GTA envisions three broad phases of Digital Connectivity Plan implementation. GTA notes that its timeline of potential implementation activities is an estimate contingent on the availability of a diverse range of funding sources, which may include state and federal government resources, private-sector partnerships, community investments, and philanthropic investments.

Phase 1 (2024 – 2026): Implement, evaluate, and engage

• Allocate grant funds to support and enhance current digital connectivity work, initiating tailored pilot programs in regions with the greatest need for digital connectivity.
• Complete data collection for measurable objectives for covered populations. Establish a continuous impact tracking and evaluation system.
• Maintain continuous community engagement and establish a feedback system that informs and shapes each phase of the program.

Phase 2 (2027 – 2029): Support, adapt, and sustain

• Provide technical assistance and funding to expand successful pilots and establish digital connectivity programs.
• Adjust implementation strategies based on data-driven insights, stakeholder feedback, and evolving community needs.
• Formulate a framework for long-term program sustainability, informed by progress metrics and impact analysis.
• Q1-Q4 2027: Evaluate the progress of implementation strategies and activities biennially using measurable objective KPIs and adjust as needed
• Q1-2 2028: Prepare and share reports with internal and external stakeholders, communicating the program’s impact, lessons learned, and plans for sustained digital connectivity efforts.

Phase 3 (2030 and beyond): Expand, grow, and communicate

• Continue to support the strategic expansion of programs.
• Conduct future planning for sustained growth and program effectiveness, while adapting to evolving community needs and emerging digital connectivity challenges.
• Q1-Q4 2029: Evaluate the progress of implementation strategies and activities biennially using measurable objective key performance indicators (KPIs) leading to updating the Georgia Digital Connectivity Plan.
• 2030: Update of the Georgia Digital Connectivity Plan.

Timeline of Objectives

GTA has a full set of full set of strategies and activities planned to implement the Digital Connectivity Plan with its Digital Equity Capacity Grant funds. Many of these activities began in 2024 and are already in motion. Quarters 1-2 of 2027 and 3-4 of 2029 are, for most programs, target milestones for evaluation of activity impact on achieving strategic goals using KPIs of relevant measurable objectives. GTA notes that most evaluation milestones in late 2029 are timed to inform updates to the Digital Connectivity Plan anticipated in 2030. The continuation of any implementation activities for 2030 and beyond will depend on remaining capacity funds and will be determined by GTA as it updates its plan.

Challenge 1: Lack of Broadband Availability

1.1: Increase access to residential broadband infrastructure

Key Activity: Execute BEAD Program: 2023-2029

1.2: Expand collaborative efforts as broadband deployment progresses

Key Activities:

• Require grantee low-cost offerings: 2023-2026
• Use public access channels and Georgia Broadcast Radio Services to disseminate information about digital connectivity initiatives: 2025-2029
• Utilize innovative outreach solutions for covered populations: 2023-2029

Challenge 2: Low-income households struggle to afford broadband services, devices, and technical support

2.1: Partner with internet service providers (ISPs) and community stakeholders for improved broadband affordability and device accessibility

Key Activities:

• Develop educational materials: 2023-onwards
• Encourage ISP partnerships for ACP enrollment drives: 2023-2029
• Fund library and other Community Anchor Institution (CAI)-based Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment drives: this activity was planned for 2023-2029, however, ACP came to a close in 2024
• Encourage ISP low-cost offerings: 2023-onwards

2.2: Establish a device ecosystem

Key Activities:

• Develop an ecosystem for devices: 2025-2029
• Provide technical support for device maintenance: if capacity funds allow, this activity may begin in 2026 as determined by GTA
• Develop a toolkit for residents and nonprofits to access internet-related resources: 2024-2027

2.3: Expand device ownership initiatives

Key Activities:

• Fund device repurposing and redistribution initiatives: 2025-2029
• Launch a comprehensive device ownership program through public-private partnerships: if capacity funds allow, this activity may begin in 2025 as determined by GTA
• Provide device access for the incarcerated population and justice-impacted individuals: 2025-2029

2.4: Leverage CAIs to expand community-level device access

Key Activities:

• Fund library-based technical support: 2024-2029
• Establish a partnership to create a device lending program, where CAIs act as key distribution points: 2024-2029
• Support device access and technical support for aging individuals: 2024-2029

2.5: Prioritize and prepare for broadband and digital connectivity in counties with highest digital inequities

Key Activities:

• Develop a weighted scoring model to analyze and identify areas of intersection of multiple factors: Q3 2024-2027
• Develop a comprehensive digital connectivity ecosystem: 2024-2029

Challenge 3: Low-income households struggle to afford broadband services, devices, and technical support

3.1: Develop a foundational digital skills framework for all Georgians

Key Activities:

• Create a digital skills guidebook with digital competency benchmarks: 2024-2029
• Integrate digital financial literacy into the statewide digital skills framework: 2024-2029
• Standardize cybersecurity and privacy guidelines in the digital skills framework: 2024-2029
• Integrate digital civic engagement within the digital skills framework: 2024-2029
• Integrate artificial intelligence (AI) literacy into the digital skills framework: 2025-2029

3.2: Empower covered populations with digital healthcare skills

Key Activities:

• Expand regional telehealth capacity and accessibility: 2025-2029
• Develop specialized digital healthcare skills: 2025-2029
• Enable Mobile Health Units to support digital skills and access: if capacity funds allow, this activity may begin in 2026 as determined by GTA
• Support tech-enabled health literacy partnerships: 2026-2029

3.3: Foster online safety and privacy awareness within digital literacy

Key Activities:

• Fund community-based security and privacy training: 2025-2029
• Run a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and online privacy: 2024-2029
• Utilize statewide cybersecurity resources for integrated digital skills training: 2025-2029
• Support safe internet practices to combat human trafficking: 2024-2029

3.4: Empower community organizations for comprehensive digital literacy

Key Activities:

• Fund community-based digital skills training: 2025-2029
• Establish collaborative digital literacy and technology certification programs with educational Institutions: 2025-2029
• Develop a Digital Navigator volunteer corps: 2026-2029
• Implement flexible learning spaces for inclusive access: if capacity funds allow, this activity may begin in 2027 as determined by GTA

3.5: Enhance digital literacy through youth and adult education platforms

Key Activities:

• Leverage STEM and Computer Science as platforms for digital literacy enhancement: 2025-2029
• Leverage Georgia’s thriving arts and media sectors to boost digital literacy across generations: if capacity funds allow, this activity may begin in 2025 as determined by GTA
• Integrate digital skills curricula and assessments into existing job training and job placement services: 2027-2029

3.6: Leverage digital connectivity to empower opportunities for workforce and economic advancement

Key Activities:

• Support technology certification programs: 2025-2029
• Establish workforce development programs that recruit and train individuals for broadband-related occupations: 2024-2029
• Build partnerships with industry, government, and education sectors for technology-based economic development: if capacity funds allow, this activity may begin in 2027 as determined by GTA
• Expand post-secondary opportunities: 2026-2029
• Develop a pathway for employment in the helpdesk support sector: 2025-2029

Challenge 4: Ensuring digital inclusivity as Georgia advances in digital services

4.1: Improve universal design and accessibility in public digital resources

Key Activities:

• Enhance the accessibility of public digital resources: 2025-2029
• Enhance accessibility and awareness of assistive technology: 2025-2029

4.2: Train Digital Navigators specialized in assisting covered populations

Key Activities:

• Partner with community-based organizations to employ Digital Navigators: 2026-2029
• Develop specialized training for Digital Navigators: 2025-2029
• Develop Digital Navigators with specialized IT support skills: if capacity funds allow, this activity may begin in 2026 as determined by GTA

Challenge 5: Local communities lack resources and expertise for Digital Connectivity efforts

5.1: Build collaboration among state, local, and nonprofit entities

Key Activities:

• Local Digital Connectivity plan development and implementation: 2024-2029
• Convene partners: 2024-2029
• Establish community-driven support networks and services to help people connect, learn, and troubleshoot digital issues: 2026-2029
• Amplify outreach through comprehensive resource distribution: 2023-2029
• Implement a "Train-the-Trainer" model leveraging local expertise: 2027-2029
• Integrate digital connectivity objectives into existing strategies: 2027-2029

5.2: Support and develop local capacity through a statewide consortium

Key Activities:

• Fund local Fellows: 2025-2029
• Convene and connect funding stakeholders for digital connectivity: 2025-2029

5.3: Sustain and grow the State and local efforts in digital connectivity

Key Activities:

• Integrate digital connectivity into state planning and program implementation efforts: 2027-2029
• Adapt to emerging digital connectivity needs: if capacity funds allow, this activity may begin in 2025 as determined by GTA
• Collect, analyze, and publish relevant data to demonstrate baselines and changes in digital connectivity metrics and outcomes as part of updates to the Georgia Digital Connectivity Plan: 2024-2029
• Fund research and development and invest in best practices for digital connectivity: 2026-2029
• Provide technical assistance support: 2024-2027

5.4 Create a repository of Digital Connectivity insights

Key Activities:

• Develop Insights Hub for Georgia's Digital Connectivity data: 2024-2027
• Provide asset information: 2024-2029

A Digitally Connected Future

GTA's goal is that all Georgians will have access to five critical elements of digital connectivity:

1. Access to affordable, reliable internet connectivity at home and in their community
2. A computing device and the opportunity to maintain it
3. The opportunity to learn and apply digital skills
4. Tools and practical knowledge for safe online engagement
5. Accessible and usable online government and community resources for all abilities

The Georgia Digital Connectivity Plan is guided by these goals and its vision for a fully connected Georgia, where every Georgian has reliable and affordable access to the internet along with the necessary tools and skills that unlock opportunities for educational advancement, economic success, improved health, and strengthened social ties. The implementation activities and timeline displayed here are GTA's path to achieving this digitally connected future.

Additional Coverage on Georgia Broadband Priorities

• Georgia's Plan for Digital Connectivity

• Georgia Elects for Broadband

See the latest Georgia broadband news

More in this Series

• When Will Nevada Implement Its Digital Equity Plan?
• Michigan Is on the Road to Closing the Digital Divide by 2030
• California Takes Steps Towards Digital Equity
• Digital Equity Funding Boosts Innovative Connectivity in Indiana

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