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.

Nebraska is both an agricultural state and a state with growing metropolitan areas. Agriculture, in particular, is important to Nebraska’s economy; Nebraska ranks second in the use of precision agriculture technologies. With a population of nearly two million, Nebraska ranks 38th in population. Its land area of over 77,000 square miles is the 16th largest in the U.S. Nebraska’s population is concentrated in the eastern and south-central areas of the state.  Nebraska ranks 3rd in percent of households with fiber internet available, with 56 percent of households having fiber available. However, Nebraska ranks 30th in the availability of 25/3 Mbps and 100/20 Mbps broadband via copper, cable, fiber or licensed fixed wireless. Ookla’s speed test ranking for the second quarter of 2023 places Nebraska at 29th. 

To meet the digital needs of the state's unique geography, population, and industries, the Nebraska Information Technology Commission developed and released the Draft Nebraska Digital Opportunities Plan. The plan is open for public comment until January 2, 2024.

Nebraska's Vision of Digital Equity

Nebraska will grow its economy and improve the lives of Nebraskans by ensuring that Nebraskans have access to affordable, quality broadband, appropriate devices and the skills to use technologies at home, in school, on the farm or ranch, in businesses, in health care, and in government.

Covered Populations and Barriers to Digital Equity

According to the Nebraska Broadband Office, 86.9 percent of Nebraska locations and 67.8 percent of rural Nebraska locations have broadband of at least 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) down and 20 Mbps up. The Nebraska Broadband Office has identified 37,166 underserved locations and 66,905 unserved locations. Rural residents are the covered population that is most challenged by broadband availability. Approximately 99 percent of the unserved and underserved locations in Nebraska are in rural areas: 67.8 percent of rural locations in Nebraska are served, compared to 86.9 percent of locations statewide.

Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area

Rural residents are Nebraska’s largest covered population, making up 36.2 percent of the state's population. Key barriers and needs include:

• Fixed broadband availability
• Mobile broadband availability
• Wireless broadband availability for agriculture
• Broadband affordability
• Affordability of devices
• Access to device repair services
• Availability of and distance to facilities that offer internet access, device access, and training and support
• Need to improve or keep up on digital skills
• Limited capacity at some rural libraries, senior centers, community centers, and other facilities due to inadequate broadband, devices, or staff time to provide assistance

Aging individuals

Adults 60 years or older are Nebraska’s second largest covered population, making up 22.5 percent of Nebraska’s population. Key barriers and needs include:

• Broadband affordability
• Affordability of devices
• Fixed broadband availability
• Mobile broadband availability
• Access to device support services
• Availability of and distance to facilities that offer internet access, device access, and training and support
• Limited capacity at some libraries, senior centers, community centers, and other facilities due to inadequate broadband, devices or staff time to provide assistance
• Need to improve or keep up on digital skills
• Lack of training opportunities on privacy and security practices
• Adults 80 years and older may have cognitive, motor, vision or hearing impairments that make it more difficult for them to learn and use digital technologies, including privacy and security practices

Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group

Members of racial or ethnic minorities make up 21.6 percent of Nebraska’s population and are Nebraska’s third largest covered population. Members of racial or ethnic minorities are more likely to be living below the poverty line, with 28.7 percent of Black or African Americans, 20.8 percent of American Indians and Alaskan Natives, and 16 percent of Hispanics living in poverty in Nebraska. Key barriers and needs include:

• Broadband affordability
• Affordability of devices
• Fixed broadband availability
• Mobile broadband availability
• Availability of and distance to facilities that offer internet access, device access, and training and support
• Need to improve or keep up on digital skills
• Lack of culturally appropriate training and support services
• Limited capacity at some libraries, senior centers, community centers, and other facilities due to inadequate broadband, devices or staff time to provide assistance

Individuals who live in covered households

Members of households at 150 percent or less of the federal poverty make up 18.1 percent of Nebraska’s population. Key barriers and needs include:

• Broadband affordability
• Affordability of devices
• Fixed broadband availability
• Mobile broadband availability
• Access to device support services
• Availability of and distance to facilities that offer internet access, device access, and training and support
• Need to improve or keep up on digital skills
• Lack of training and support services
• Limited capacity at some libraries, senior centers, community centers, and other facilities due to inadequate broadband, devices or staff time to provide assistance

Individuals with a language barrier

Individuals with language barriers make up 14.5 percent of Nebraskans and include those with low literacy levels and English language learners. Key barriers and needs include:

• Broadband affordability
• Affordability of devices
• Fixed broadband availability
• Mobile broadband availability
• Access to device support services
• Availability of and distance to facilities that offer internet access, device access, and training and support
• Need to improve or keep up on digital skills
• Lack of linguistically and culturally appropriate training and support services
• Limited capacity at some libraries, senior centers, community centers, and other facilities due to inadequate broadband, devices or staff time to provide assistance

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals with disabilities make up 12.6 percent of Nebraska’s population—an estimated 226,316 individuals. Mobility disabilities are the most prevalent (5.3%), followed by cognitive disabilities (4.2%), hearing disabilities (3.8%), independent living disabilities (3.5%), vision disabilities (2.0%), and self-care disabilities (1.8%). Individuals may have more than one disability and vary in the severity of their disabilities. Although members of all covered populations have differences, those with disabilities have a greater range of abilities and needs.

White Nebraskans have a higher prevalence of disabilities with 10.2 percent having a disability. Over 85 percent of those with disabilities in Nebraska are White. As adults age, they are more likely to have a disability. Nearly one-third (32.4%) of Nebraskans 65 and older have a disability. Nebraskans with disabilities are more likely to live below the poverty line (22.9% versus. 8.8%). They also have lower median incomes ($26,147 versus. $38,539).

In addition to the 12.6 percent of Nebraskans with a disability, there are likely many other Nebraskans who may benefit from accessibility accommodations. Over 50 percent of Nebraskans reported having difficulties seeing, hearing walking, remembering or concentrating, taking care of themselves, and communicating in the Nebraska Digital Access and Skills survey. Overall key barriers and needs include:

• Broadband affordability
• Affordability of devices
• Fixed broadband availability
• Mobile broadband availability
• Individual barriers and challenges––the use of assistive and digital technologies is unique to the individual.
• Need to raise awareness of opportunities of assistive and digital technologies.
• Individuals and organizations providing services to individuals with disabilities need to better learn to use assistive technology.
• Access to device support services
• Many websites and PDFs have accessibility errors.

Veterans

Veterans make up 5.8 percent of Nebraska’s population. Twenty-six percent of Nebraska veterans are age 75 and over versus 9.3 percent of Nebraska’s population. Nebraska veterans are less likely to be living in poverty (6.3% versus 10.5% of Nebraskans) and nearly twice as likely to be disabled (29.6% versus 15.% of Nebraskans). Key barriers and needs include:

• Broadband affordability
• Affordability of devices
• Fixed broadband availability
• Mobile broadband availability
• Access to device support services
• Availability of and distance to facilities that offer internet access, device access, and training and support
• Limited capacity at some libraries, senior centers, community centers and other facilities due to inadequate broadband, devices or staff time to provide assistance
• Need to improve or keep up on digital skills
• Lack of training opportunities on privacy and security practices
• Adults 80 years and older may have cognitive, motor, vision or hearing impairments, which make it more difficult for them to learn and use digital technologies, including privacy and security practices.
• Veterans with disabilities may have individual barriers and challenges. The use of assistive and digital technologies is unique to the individual.

Incarcerated Individuals

Incarcerated individuals make up 0.5 percent of Nebraska’s population with, an average daily population of 5,516 people in Nebraska Department of Correctional Services facilities with an additional 41 housed in contracted county jails in 2022.

Those currently incarcerated have limited access to the internet because of security concerns. Inmates do have access to a tablet while they are incarcerated.

The Nebraska Department of Corrections is starting to give more access to employment websites and housing websites in Lincoln Community Corrections Centers with staff to oversee individuals.

The Department of Correctional Services has awarded Vocational and Life Skills grants to organizations that work with incarcerated individuals to improve their jobs skills and to help them reenter society. Inmates have access to the internet at those organizations. Several of these organizations purchase prepaid phone for inmates to have and use upon their release. Several of the Vocational and Life Skills programs offer training and assistance in using smartphones and computers.

Digital Equity Goals

The Nebraska Information Technology Commission structured its draft Digital Opportunities Plan around ten goals, each with its own strategies and key performance indicators.

Goal 1: Increase the percentage of Nebraska households with affordable, quality broadband service available (in conjunction with BEAD)

Strategy: Utilize funding from BEAD and other sources to ensure that broadband is available at all locations in Nebraska

Key Performance Indicator

• Percent of locations with 100/20 Megabits per second (Mbps) broadband available (served locations), with a baseline of 86.9 percent and a long-term goal of 100 percent

Goal 2: Increase the percentage of Nebraska households with a broadband subscription at home

Strategy: Increase awareness and utilization of the Affordable Connectivity Program by developing and strengthening partnerships

Key Performance Indicator

• Percent of households with broadband access at home, with a baseline of 90.1 percent, a near-term target of 92 percent and a long-term target of 94 percent
• Percent of eligible households enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, with a baseline of 31 percent, a near-term target of 40 percent and a long-term target of 50 percent

Goal 3: Improve internet access in Nebraska libraries and senior centers

Strategy: Increase the number of libraries with fiber connections and network infrastructure upgrades

Key Performance Indicator

• Number of libraries with fiber connections, with a baseline of 173 libraries with fiber connections, a near-term target of 40 additional libraries obtaining fiber connections, secure networks, and updated network equipment, and a long-term target of 85 total additional libraries

Strategy: Increase the number of libraries applying for E-Rate

Key Performance Indicator

• Number of libraries applying for E-Rate, with a baseline of 69 libraries apply for E-Rate obtaining fiber connections, secure networks, and updated network equipment, a near-term target of 60 additional libraries, and a long-term target of 105 total additional libraries

Strategy: Encourage and support libraries in utilizing the E-Rate Special Construction Matching Program

Key Performance Indicator

• Number of libraries utilizing E-Rate Special Construction Matching program, with a baseline of 12 libraries that have utilized E-Rate Special Construction Matching program to connect to fiber, a near-term target of 25 libraries, and a long-term target of 60 libraries

Strategy: Support efforts to improve internet access in Nebraska senior centers

Key Performance Indicator

• Number of multi-purpose senior centers with Wi-Fi for use by participants, with a baseline of 67 percent of multi-purpose senior centers provide Wi-Fi for participants, a near-term target of 75 percent, and a long-term target of 90 percent

Goal 4: Increase the percent of Nebraska households with appropriate internet devices

Strategy: Review Nebraska Statutes and policies to identify barriers to state entities donating digital devices to refurbishment programs and make recommendations for addressing these barriers

Key Performance Indicator

• Review of statutes and policies and recommendations have been completed, with a near-term target of the review and recommendations completed and a long-term target of––if the review and recommendations support donating used equipment to refurbishing programs–– having the necessary statutory and policies changes made

Strategy: Encourage and support the development or expansion of programs which refurbish and repair digital devices and/or distribute new devices to members of covered populations

Key Performance Indicators

• Number of devices distributed or repaired through programs funded by Nebraska’s State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, with a baseline of zero, a near-term target of 100, and a long-term target of 500
• Percent of households with one or more digital devices, with a baseline of 92.8 percent, a near-term target of 94 percent, and a long-term target of 96 percent

Goal 5: Improve the technology skills of Nebraskans including the development of a skilled workforce

Strategy: Encourage and support the development or expansion of programs that provide digital skills training and support to covered populations and support the development of a skilled workforce

Key Performance Indicator

• Number of participants in programs funded through Nebraska’s State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, with a baseline of zero, a near-term target of 1,000, and a long-term target of 5,000

Goal 6: Increase the use of telehealth technologies in Nebraska in order to increase access to care in underserved areas and to reduce health disparities

Strategy: Support efforts by Nebraska hospitals, healthcare providers, associations and other stakeholders to increase the use of telehealth in Nebraska

Key Performance Indicator

• Use of electronic health monitoring, with a baseline of 5.7 percent of users, a near-term target of 7.7 percent of users, and a long-term target of 9.7 percent of users
• Communicate with a doctor using the Internet, with a baseline of 40.1 percent of users, a near-term target of 42 percent, and a long-term target of 45 percent
• Accessing health records online, with a baseline of 49.2 percent of users, a near-term target of 52 percent, and a long-term target of 55 percent
• Researching health information online, with a baseline of 45.8 percent, a near-term target of 50 percent, and a long-term target of 55 percent

Goal 7: Increase the use of precision agriculture technologies in Nebraska

Strategy: Support efforts by the Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska farmers and ranchers and other stakeholders to increase the use of precision agriculture in Nebraska

Key Performance Indicator

• Percent of Nebraska farmers and ranchers using precision agricultural technologies, with a baseline of 55 percent, a near-term target of 59 percent, and a long-term target of 70 percent

Goal 8: Increase awareness and adoption of internet privacy and security practices by local governments in Nebraska

Strategy: Assist local governments in implementing cyber governance and planning, increasing assessment and evaluation capabilities, prioritizing identified cyber risks, and helping to address cyber workforce changes through the Nebraska State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP)

Key Performance Indicator

• Percent of local grant fund grants awarded to local governments, with a baseline of 56 percent of local government funding awarded to rural local governments, a near-term target of over 25 percent, and a long-term target of over 25 percent

Goal 9: Increase awareness and adoption of internet privacy and security practices by Nebraskans

Strategy: Support the development or expansion of privacy and security training programs for Nebraskans

Key Performance Indicators

• Number of participants in programs funded through Nebraska’s State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, with a baseline of zero, a near-term target of 500, and a long-term target of 2,500
• Percent of digital privacy and security skills, where 50 percent or more of the population is very confident they can complete (out of 4 skills), with a baseline of zero, a near-term target of one skill, and a long-term target of 2 skills

Goal 10: Improve the online accessibility and inclusivity of public resources and services

Strategy: Increase awareness of accessibility issues with state agencies and local governments including accessibility of PDFs

Key Performance Indicator

• Average Number of Total Errors and Alerts for Sampled School, Library, Municipality, County and State and Social Service Sites (average of 5 categories), with a baseline of 49.7, a near-term target of 47, and a long-term target of 45
• Average Number of PDF Test Items Failed for Sampled School, Library, Municipality, County and State and Social Service Sites (average of 5 categories), with a baseline of 19, a near-term target of 17, and a long-term target of 15
• Average percentage of websites with translations available for Sampled School, Library, Municipality, County and State and Social Service Sites (average of 5 categories), with a baseline of 43.1 percent, a near-term target of 45 percent, and a long-term target of 47 percent

Implementation Strategy and Key Activities

Beyond the ten goals for achieving digital equity in Nebraska, the Nebraska Information Technology Commission includes further strategies and activities in accordance with the federal Digital Equity Act.

Plan Stakeholder Coordination and Outreach

Key Activities:

• Establish a Digital Opportunities Advisory Group
• Convene the Nebraska Digital Opportunities Advisory Group a minimum of twice annually
• Establish and convene working groups as determined by the Digital Opportunities Advisory Group
• Coordinate State Digital Access Capacity Grant and programs funded through BEAD
• Continue to support learning opportunities about digital opportunities through webinars
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to create and implement a marketing campaign

Apply for State Digital Access Capacity Grant Funding and Meet Program Requirements

Key Activities:

• Develop and submit an application to NTIA
• Setup the grant
• Conduct grant administration activities
• Prepare and submit required reports

Create and Award Subgrants

Key Activities:

• Develop policies and procedures for administering state digital opportunities grant program
• Develop guidelines for the state digital opportunities grant program
• Open grant application period
• Evaluate applications
• Award grants
• Monitor and evaluate subawards

Support, Create or Expand Statewide Programs or Initiatives

Key Activities:

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to build partnerships and raise awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program
• Support efforts of the Nebraska Library Commission to improve library capacity
  • Increase the number of libraries with fiber connections and network infrastructure upgrades
  • Increase the number of libraries applying for E-Rate
  • Encourage and support libraries in utilizing the E-Rate Special Construction Matching Program
• Support efforts to improve internet access in Nebraska senior centers
• Review Nebraska statutes and polices to identify barriers to state entities donating digital devices to refurbishment programs and make recommendations for addressing these barriers
• Encourage and support the development or expansion of programs that refurbish and repair digital devices and/or distribute new devices to members of covered populations
• Encourage and support the development or expansion of programs that provide digital skills training and support to covered populations and support the development of a skilled workforce
• Support efforts by Nebraska hospitals, health care providers, associations and other stakeholders to increase the use of telehealth in Nebraska
• Support efforts by Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska farmers and ranchers and other stakeholders to increase the use of precision agriculture in Nebraska
• Assist local governments in implementing cyber governance and planning, increasing assessment and evaluation capabilities, prioritizing identified cyber risks, and helping to address cyber workforce changes through the Nebraska State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP)
• Support the development or expansion of privacy and security training programs for Nebraskans
• Increase awareness of accessibility issues with state agencies and local governments including accessibility of PDFs

Conduct Periodic Research to Measure Progress

Key Activities:

• Conduct two additional digital skills and access surveys in 2026 and 2029
• Access U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data to measure progress of baseline measures using ACS data
• Utilize data from the Nebraska Broadband Office and the BEAD program to measure progress in improving broadband availability
• Conduct two additional assessments of the accessibility of state and local government websites and PDFs in 2026 and 2029

Nebraska Wants to Hear From You

To submit comments on the draft Digital Opportunities Plan, use this comment form. Members of the public can contact the Nebraska Information Technology Commission for more information using this email, or visit NITC's website. The deadline for public comments is January 2, 2024.

More in this series:

• Developing Digital Equity Solutions in Vermont
• Working Towards Digital Equity in DC
• Oregon's Plan for Meaningful Broadband Access
• Massachusetts' Unified Vision of Digital Equity
• Alaska's Plan to Address Broadband Adversity
• Georgia's Plan for Digital Connectivity
• In a New York State of Digital Equity
• A Plan for Digital Equity in Delaware
• Equity for the Digital Age: Maryland's Plan
• North Dakota's Collective Approach to Digital Equity
• A Plan for Connecting New Jersey
• Achieving a Digitally Inclusive Ohio
• A Digital Access Plan for All Idahoans
• Envisioning a Connected, Interconnected Alabama
• Missouri Pursues Sustainable Digital Opportunity Initiatives
• A Digital Equity Plan to Connect All Kansans
• South Dakota's Plan to Leverage Digital Equity to Reach Economic Goals
• Aloha Spirit Inspires Hawai'i Digital Equity Plan
• The Plan for Closing Nevada’s Digital Divide
• Wisconsin's Digital Equity Values
• ¡Su opinión cuenta! Puerto Rico Releases Initial Draft of Digital Equity Plan | ¡Su Opinión Cuenta! Puerto Rico Pública el Borrador Inicial del Plan de Equidad Digital
• Kentucky Pursues Full and Equitable Digital Access for All
• Tennessee Drafts a Digital Opportunity Plan
• Washington State Sets Digital Equity Goals
• West Virginia's Plan to Conquer the Digital Divide
• Rhode Island Works to Bring Broadband to All Residents
• Wyoming Seeks Feedback on Digital Access Plan
• Communities Know Communities Best: Michigan's Digital Equity Plan
• Montana's Digital Opportunity Plan
• Achieving Digital Independence in Utah
• Maine's Vision of Digital Equity
• A Look at Louisiana's Draft Digital Equity Plan

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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