Michigan Is on the Road to Closing the Digital Divide by 2030
Friday, August 9, 2024
Weekly Digest
Michigan Is on the Road to Closing the Digital Divide by 2030
You’re reading the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society’s Weekly Digest, a recap of the biggest (or most overlooked) broadband stories of the week. The digest is delivered via e-mail each Friday.
Round-Up for the Week of August 5-9, 2024
The Michigan High-Speed Internet (MIHI) Office's Digital Equity Plan was finalized in March 2024. Four months later, on July 18, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded Michigan over $20 million from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for implementing this plan. Among other efforts, Michigan plans to use the funding to implement its Inclusive Training, Technology, and Equity Network (MITTEN) which includes a robust statewide Digital Navigator Network that will disseminate information from state agencies pertaining to online accessibility of services, new opportunities for workforce or education, and affordable Internet service plans and devices. What follows is the timeline for how MIHI will develop this and other programs using its funding from the Digital Equity Act.
Objectives, Activities, and Timelines
MIHI's full Digital Equity Plan timeline, encompassing both planning and implementation activities has already started and ends in 2030.
Initial Stakeholder Outreach
MIHI completed its initial stakeholder outreach this year, culminating in the approval of its final plan and the allotment of the state's State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program funding.
- Phase 1 of community meetings
- Q1-Q2, 2023
- Phase 2 of community meetings
- Q3, 2023
- Partnership Roundtable Meetings
- Q1 2023-Q4 2024
- Develop and submit DE Plan
- Q1-Q4, 2024
Planning Activities
MIHI is continuing its planning activities from 2024 into 2025, in tandem with Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD)-funded non-deployment programs.
- Apply for the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant
- Q2-Q3, 2024
- Finalize existing asset inventory
- Q1-Q2, 2024
- Convene workgroups among state agencies and external partners
- Q3 2024-Q2 2025
- Allocate BEAD funding to non-deployment subprograms
- Q3 2024-Q2 2025
Implementation Activities
MIHI is currently in the implementation phase of its plan, with its program development and execution beginning in the second half of 2024. The deployment of these programs will continue through 2023 in tandem with MIHI's continued planning, coordination and outreach.
- Coordinate between State Digital Equity Capacity Grant and BEAD Digital Equity programs
- Q2-Q3, 2024
- Issue RFP for Digital Navigator Host sites
- Q2, 2024
- Hire Regional Digital Coordinators and Community Digital Navigators
- Q3-Q4, 2025
- Finalize digital skills platform contract
- Q4, 2024
- Distribute BEAD funds in multiple rounds for non-infrastructure-related programs
- Q1-Q4, 2025
- Project deployments for non-infrastructure-related programs
- Q3 2025-2030
Coordination and Outreach
Michigan's Digital Equity Plan––as do all state plans––requires, and plans for, a significant amount of interagency collaboration to execute its digital equity programming. MIHI detailed timeline goals for collaboration and outreach.
- Establish an employer-led collaborative with LEO to meet BEAD program subgrantees workforce needs. At least 60 percent of subgrantees should participate.
- Q1-Q2, 2025
- Partner with MDE on awareness campaigns for parents and students on topics like at-home internet connection, affordability, and access
- Q1-Q2, 2025
- Collaborate with MDE on digital skills competencies in K-12
- Q1-Q4, 2025
- Coordinate with MDHHS on health outcomes from pre-and post-deployment of broadband projects in targeted areas
- Q1-Q2, 2025
- Partner with MDHHS to promote and improve MIBridges portal for benefits such as SNAP, FAP, Medicare and Medicaid
- Q1-Q4, 2025
- Partner with MDHHS to promote relevant programs to MIBridges users, including the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
- Q1-Q4, 2025
- Partner with State Library of Michigan for free access to digital skills learning platforms
- Q1-Q4, 2025
- Work with MDOS to educate Michiganders about digital tools and inclusive initiatives, including voter rights and online Secretary of State vehicle services
- Q1-Q2, 2025
- Work with MDOS to educate Michiganders on protecting online activities
- Q1-Q2, 2025
- Publish annual progress report card
- Q4 yearly, from 2024-2030
Indicator Score Monitoring
Equally important as any category in MHI's timeline is the section on monitoring and evaluation. Michigan's plans for evaluation will help determine the efficacy of its upcoming programs and the digital environment in the state.
- Calculate Indicator Scores
- Q4, 2023
- Develop a tracking mechanism for Indicator Score progress
- Q1-Q2, 2024
- Design outreach and in-reach campaigns for relevant Indicator Scores
- Q3-Q4, 2024
- Monitor affordability score every two years
- Q4 of 2023, Q1 of 2025, 2027 and 2029
- Monitor digital government accessibility score every two years
- Q4 of 2023, Q1 of 2025, 2027 and 2029
- Monitor digital participation score every two years
- Q4 of 2023, Q1 of 2025, 2027 and 2029
- Monitor digital security score every two years
- Q4 of 2023, Q1 of 2025, 2027 and 2029
- Monitor device distress score every two years
- Q4 of 2023, Q1 of 2025, 2027 and 2029
- Monitor continuous quality improvement mechanisms
- Q4 of 2024-2030
What This Timeline Means for Michigan
Michigan's journey to digital equity is a challenging but achievable goal that promises a strong and more connected future. The state recognizes that broadband infrastructure and resources are crucial for economic and workforce development, healthcare, education, transportation, and more. Michigan's Digital Equity Plan aims at closing the digital divide by 2030 and ensuring universal access and adoption of high-speed internet services.
Additional Coverage on Michigan Broadband Priorities
See the latest Michigan broadband news
More in this Series
Quick Bits
- Public Interest Groups Urge FCC To Lower Broadband Costs, Increase Consumer Choice for Apartment Residents
- Fact Sheet on the Impact of the Universal Service Fund
- Justice Department Sues TikTok and Parent Company ByteDance for Widespread Violations of Children’s Privacy Laws
- ‘Google Is a Monopolist,’ Judge Rules in Landmark Antitrust Case
Weekend Reads
- 2023 Federal Broadband Funding Report
- Native Nations and Federal Telecom Policy Failures: Lessons from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
- Moving Toward a Continuum Model for Broadband Affordability
- Broadband Prices 2024
ICYMI from Benton
- Ensuring All Hoosiers Have Reliable and Affordable Broadband
- A Plan to Bridge the Digital Divide in Colorado
- Project 2025's Plan for the NTIA
- When Will Nevada Implement Its Digital Equity Plan?
Upcoming Events
Aug 13––Communications Equity and Diversity Council (FCC)
Aug 14—Precision Agriculture Task Force (FCC)
Aug 19––The Policy Implications of New Broadband Competition (Technology Policy Institute)
Aug 23––Multistakeholder Forum for the National Spectrum Strategy Band Studies (US Department of Commerce)
Aug 29––Technological Advisory Council (FCC)
Oct 14-15––Michigan Broadband Summit (Merit)
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.
© Benton Institute for Broadband & Society 2024. Redistribution of this email publication - both internally and externally - is encouraged if it includes this copyright statement.
For subscribe/unsubscribe info, please email headlinesATbentonDOTorg
Kevin Taglang
Executive Editor, Communications-related Headlines
Benton Institute
for Broadband & Society
1041 Ridge Rd, Unit 214
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-220-4531
headlines AT benton DOT org
Share this edition:
Broadband Delivers Opportunities and Strengthens Communities