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 response to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented by the Digital Equity Act, the North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity developed the North Carolina draft Digital Equity Plan. This plan is a comprehensive strategy that aims to ensure all individuals and communities have access to the digital tools, resources, and skills they need to participate fully in the digital environment. NCDIT is accepting public comments on the draft plan until January 2, 2024.

North Carolina's Vision for Digital Equity

The work of achieving digital equity is a collaborative one, and the division continues to learn with and from its partners. Through programs like the Digital Equity Grant program, the Digital Navigator Initiative, and the Digital Equity and Inclusion Collaborative, the Division of Broadband and Digital Equity ("the division") laid the foundation for a network of digital equity champions, programs, and resources across the state.

Together with partners and informed by listening sessions in communities across the state, the division crafted a North Star Vision for digital equity in North Carolina that:

• Accounts for the diverse needs and assets of each community and invests in locally driven solutions to build capacity and sustainability, and
• Ensures solutions are transformational and address how digital equity intersects with all aspects of North Carolina life, including increasing economic and social well-being, health, and education.

North Star Vision: NCDIT envisions a future where all North Carolinians have access to high-speed internet and the digital tools, resources, and skills to fully and equitably participate in their society, democracy and economy.

Mission: The NCDIT Office of Digital Equity and Literacy will partner and collaborate with communities across the state and ensure all North Carolinians have:

• Access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet,
• Computers and digital devices that meet their evolving needs, as well as access to quality and affordable technical support,
• Opportunities for developing digital skills,
• Tools and information to protect themselves online, and
• Online resources that are inclusive for all.

Covered Populations and Barriers to Digital Equity

There were several barriers to digital equity raised by multiple covered populations and across the geography of North Carolina. NCDIT's Division of Broadband and Digital Equity breaks these down through five main barrier areas, as well as covered population-specific barriers.

Access to and Affordability of High-Speed Internet

The N.C. Digital Equity Survey respondents were asked how they connect to the internet, and 89 percent noted they had a home internet subscription. However, based on Federal Communications Commission data, NCDIT's Division of Broadband and Digital Equity identified 376,039 unserved Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) and 127,391 underserved BSLs representing a total of 411,258 unserved units (homes and businesses) and 145,205 underserved units (homes and businesses) in the state. Unserved households do not have internet access and underserved do not have internet service considered “high-speed.”

The Digital Equity Survey results indicate that most North Carolinians (98%) can access the internet in one or more ways. Most covered populations also subscribe to a home internet service plan (75%-93%). Individuals with low literacy levels were the most likely not to have a home internet subscription (25%). Mobile data plans were also frequently used to get online. Those most likely to go somewhere else to pick up internet service were individuals in re-entry (11%)––returning citizens transitioning from jails or prisons––and low-income individuals (10%). Less than 10 percent of the covered populations rely on picking up free Wi-Fi (3%-7%) or borrowing a hotspot (1-6%).

For those without access to a home internet subscription, the majority indicated that internet service for their residence was either too expensive (35%) or not available (39%). Individuals in re-entry were the most likely to note cost as a barrier to accessing internet service at home (67%) while veterans (45%) were most likely to note the lack of available service. Many also indicated that service was available at their residence, but it did not work well enough to meet their needs (16%-27%). Individuals with language barriers (12%), those with low literacy levels (12%), low-income families (11%), and racial/ethnic minorities (11%) were the most likely to lack access to a digital device. Individuals with low literacy were far more likely than any other group to indicate they did not want internet service (22%) or that they didn’t know how to use the internet (27%).

Accessibility and Inclusivity of Online Public Resources

Most surveyed North Carolinians have used the internet to search for public resources and support. The most common searches were for information about government services (86%), recreational or tourist information (75%), and public health (55%). Residents used the internet less for applying for or managing government benefits (40%) and subsidy programs (11%). In listening sessions, some community members noted that they were not aware of these resources, specifically the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Many were interested in learning more about it and other services and resources that could help them in their everyday lives. Most of these resources must be accessed online (e.g., Division of Motor Vehicles), which is a tremendous barrier to those without access to reliable devices and internet service. There is a great need to make sure there are more public resources available, that community members know what they are and where to find them, that they are accessible for all community members, and individuals have the tools they need to access them (e.g., internet, device, skills).

When looking across covered populations, individuals with low levels of literacy were far less likely to access most public resources than the general population or other covered populations. Conversely, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ were more likely than most other covered populations to access most resources. Like the general population, most covered populations accessed information about government services/resources or recreational/tourist information the most frequently and information about enrolling in internet subsidy programs the least. Formerly incarcerated individuals were the least likely to engage in searches that met their needs (22%). Aging individuals (52%), racial/ethnic minorities (50%), veterans (49%), and rural residents (48%) were the most likely to indicate that their searches did meet their needs.

Digital Literacy

A lack of digital skills is a barrier to the safe and effective use of the internet by many North Carolinians. Nearly all digital equity survey respondents identified feeling either “very” or “somewhat confident” in their ability to engage in basic technology tasks such as turning on a device (97%), sending emails (96%), and installing apps (89%). They were less confident in completing more complex tasks such as accessing or applying for government resources (79%), using video applications (81%), finding educational content (83%), and searching for/applying for jobs (83%), which could have serious, negative consequences. Across many population groups, parents specifically expressed frustration and concern that their lack of digital skills prevented them from assisting their children in completing homework or accessing resources. “As technology advances and more and more services/resources move online, internet access and the ability to successfully navigate the internet have become essential skills. While the younger generation has been deemed ‘digital natives’, research indicates that a significant portion of this population lacks the necessary digital literacy/skills to succeed in the digital economy.

Nearly all covered populations felt either “very” or “somewhat confident” (80-96%) in their ability to engage in basic technology tasks such as turning on a device, sending emails, and installing apps except for those with lower literacy levels. These individuals felt much less confident in their general (71-79%) and more advanced digital literacy skills (51%-63%) compared to other covered populations. Looking at other covered populations, individuals within 150 percent of the federal poverty level, those with language barriers, and incarcerated/reentry individuals were the next most likely to lack confidence overall in their digital skills. Rural residents, veterans, and individuals from a racial or ethnic minority group were the most likely to report higher confidence in their overall digital skills. Accessing and applying for government resources continued to be the area where covered populations felt least confident (47-82%), which is important as many of these individuals will likely need to interact with government resources in some capacity.

Cybersecurity and Privacy

Survey respondents did not feel particularly confident in their ability to protect themselves online, with 42 percent feeling very confident in their ability to keep themselves safe online and 36 percent in protecting their personal data. This issue was also brought up multiple times during the listening sessions. Many residents were concerned about online scams and expressed a desire for more services and support for cybersecurity and privacy training.

When looking at the confidence of covered populations to keep themselves safe online, individuals with low levels of literacy (57%), low-income households (68%), and incarcerated/reentry individuals (68%) are the most vulnerable and least likely to feel confident in their ability to keep themselves safe online. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community (89%) and veterans (81%) felt more confident, on average, than other covered populations.

When considering protecting the privacy of personal data, individuals with low literacy (55%), low income (65%), individuals with a language barrier (65%), and incarcerated/reentry individuals (63%) were the least likely to feel confident. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community (79%) and veterans (76%) also felt more confident, on average, than other covered populations in protecting the privacy of their personal data online.

Availability and Affordability of Devices and Technical Support

Fully participating in a digital society requires access to reliable devices that meet the needs of users as well as repair and technical assistance services to address issues with those devices. Most survey respondents indicated that they had enough working devices to meet the needs of their family in the home; however, 10 percent did not. One-third (33%) of survey respondents indicated they had not experienced any issues with their devices in the past six months. Most individuals did experience some sort of device problem, and most (89%) were able to resolve their issue. Many contacted customer support (31%), fixed the problem themselves (26%) or with the assistance of friends and family (20%), or found help online (19%).

When looking at covered populations, aging individuals and veterans were the most likely to have enough working digital devices to meet the needs of their families (90%). Individuals with a low literacy level (33%), individuals in re-entry (29%), those with language barriers (22%), and low-income households (22%) were the most likely to lack access to enough reliable digital devices. Listening sessions revealed that cost was often the largest barrier to owning reliable devices; however, some unique challenges were also raised by specific populations.

Across covered populations, 23-36 percent indicated that they had not had any issues with their digital devices in the past six months. For those that did have a problem, most contacted customer support or fixed the problem themselves. Very few relied upon churches or libraries to assist them with device support (2-9%). Nearly one-third (31%) of incarcerated/reentry individuals were not able to fix one or more devices. Individuals with low literacy (23%), those with a language barrier (18%), and low-income individuals (19%) were also more likely than other covered populations not to be able to fix their devices.

Veterans

A significant issue for veterans who do not have access to, or cannot afford, broadband access and devices is lack of connectivity to community and resources. Broadband serves as a vital means of social cohesion and connection for those living in sparsely populated, rural areas, and the lack of broadband access prevents veterans from accessing mental health resources such as support groups, therapy, and referral services. The social isolation made worse by the digital divide can exacerbate preexisting health concerns, including the risk of substance use disorders and suicidal ideations.

Incarcerated Individuals

To learn more about incarcerated individuals’ experience, the N.C. Digital Equity Survey and community outreach data for incarcerated persons were collected through listening sessions with people in re-entry.

People who are confined to state prisons generally have tightly controlled access to communication devices and the internet. Many incarcerated individuals do not have regular access to computers or tablets, even for training or educational purposes. While state prisons have made progress in acquiring sufficient tablets for the incarcerated population in recent years, there continues to be room for improvement in access, affordability, and instruction. Further research will illuminate the extent to which those devices are being used.

When incarcerated individuals are allowed access to the internet for personal use, the cost of connecting to the internet is quite high. A participant in a listening session composed of formerly incarcerated people gave the example of earning approximately $8 to $16 dollars per month in prison but having to pay $15 for 25 hours of internet access. Even if they can afford service, it often does not work well enough for them to complete necessary tasks.

For individuals who have been incarcerated for a significant amount of time, navigating digital tools and the internet may be a completely new experience. This lack of access to devices and to internet connectivity results in individuals who are about to be released having limited ability to prepare to reconnect to the outside world; find resources like housing, employment, and healthcare; and prepare to function in a world that may be technologically very different from when they were first incarcerated.

English Learners and Immigrant Communities

North Carolina residents who are not proficient in English face multiple barriers to digital equity. Research and deep asset scanning identified dozens of community assets that provide services or training in Spanish, but very few offer anything in other languages. Even assistance programs in Spanish are not geographically distributed well. For example, in Pitt County, some residents are willing to pay for digital training but have challenges accessing classes taught in Spanish. In Duplin County, residents emphasized the significance of offering services and training programs in Spanish, which should include childcare support. For immigrant and refugee communities, the lack of assistance and instruction in their first language hampers their ability to connect to resources and integrate into the community.

Another significant and deeply rooted barrier to access is fear of exposure for undocumented immigrants. For undocumented individuals, the apprehension of revealing their immigration status can be paralyzing, leading to a reluctance to engage in educational opportunities or access vital services. Advocates expressed that undocumented persons may be reluctant to register for digital instruction or attend classes in person unless the instruction or service is provided by a trusted organization, and it has been made clear that immigration status does not matter. For English learners in foster care, there is often limited access to technology and broadband. These children often “fall through the cracks” when accessing these resources. More research and interventions are needed in the foster care system to ensure these children can access digital technologies.

Low-literacy Population

Residents of North Carolina with low literacy are disproportionately affected by digital equity challenges as their limited reading and writing skills often intersect with barriers to digital inclusion. Access to digital tools and services has become a crucial gateway to education, employment, information, and social engagement that can be very helpful for these individuals. For individuals with low literacy skills, navigating the digital world can be especially challenging and alienating as a lot of online content, applications, and digital interfaces are text-heavy and require written and verbal communication. There are several agencies that target individual literacy instruction for adults. However, there is a crucial need for tailored initiatives that combine both linguistic and digital literacy.

Persons With Disabilities

Persons with disabilities face specific challenges related to the availability and affordability of devices and peripherals (headphones, speakers, text readers, etc.) that allow them to fully utilize technology. They also face unexpected and unintended barriers in accessing spaces where training, technical assistance, and Wi-Fi access are offered. A community-based organization may offer classes in a location that is not ADA compliant. A busy, noisy location may not be a viable place for a person with any number of disabilities to attempt to focus on completing schoolwork or a job application. This covered population is also overrepresented among the rural, aging, and low-income groups.

In addition to the person with disabilities, parents and caregivers of disabled persons often struggle to find information and assistance in getting appropriate devices and instruction for their family members. In at least one community listening session, residents voiced the need for websites and audio to be inclusive for persons with disabilities. Larger font sizes and audio should be available for all internet web pages. This concern includes issues such as websites not being screen-reader friendly for the visually impaired, lack of captioning for deaf or hard-of-hearing users in video content, and the absence of keyboard navigation options for those with mobility impairments.

Affordability and access to assistive technology can be a significant challenge. Many persons with disabilities require specialized hardware and software to interact with digital devices and the internet. However, these tools can be expensive, and insurance coverage or government assistance may not always be sufficient to cover the costs. Moreover, persons with disabilities in low-income or underserved communities may have limited access to high-speed internet, making it difficult for them to take advantage of digital resources and services.

Aging Population

One of the most significant challenges facing aging individuals is acquiring the digital literacy and skills necessary to operate internet-enabled devices and navigate the online world. Aging individuals frequently expressed a desire to receive assistance from people whom they already trust in places with which they are comfortable, such as houses or worship and senior centers.

Related to their lack of digital skills are the concerns about the security of their information online. For instance, older veterans have been found to be hesitant to manage their healthcare online and participate in telehealth services from Veterans Affairs, which will become more of a hindrance to their care as Veterans Assistance and other healthcare providers move toward more online communication and telehealth visits. 

Complicating matters, there are situations where vital healthcare devices must be connected to the internet, making the absence of reliable internet access a serious health concern. Furthermore, concerns about internet security when utilizing these devices are widely shared. 

Rural Residents

Rural residents bear a disproportionate burden when it comes to digital equity, with one of the most prevalent obstacles being the absence of dependable internet access. In certain regions of North Carolina, internet quality is subpar, and some areas lack any internet service altogether. In the absence of alternative internet providers in these locales, residents find themselves compelled to accept the services and pricing set by the sole provider available, resulting in a monopolistic situation in rural areas. If there are no internet providers in the area that can affordably service their home, rural residents will drive far distances to access the internet at a local business, post-office, coffee shop, or other areas where there is free Wi-Fi. 

Rural residents in the agricultural and farmworker community also frequently reported using smartphones to connect to the internet. Being an integral part of rural communities, farm workers' access to the internet holds significant importance. Reliable internet connectivity is essential within farm workers' camps as it enables them to access critical and life-saving information. Various extreme weather events, including hurricanes, floods, and extreme heat, as well as the recent challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, underscored the necessity of dependable communication channels for farm workers. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities faced by farm workers due to limited connectivity. In the absence of internet access, farm workers encounter significant barriers in reaching healthcare providers, communicating about outbreaks, requesting outreach services, and staying connected with their families and loved ones. It's important to note that farm worker housing predominantly exists in rural areas with poor cell phone reception, and there is often a lack of available internet connectivity. Notably, North Carolina alone hosts over 1,000 farm workers' camps located in rural regions with limited access to broadband services, which highlights the complexity of finding a one-size-fits-all solution for internet connectivity.

Racial & Ethnic Minorities

Members of racial and ethnic minority groups often face barriers that compound the digital divide. In cities across North Carolina, the available broadband infrastructure often aligns with historical redlining practices, concentrating primarily in districts that were systematically marginalized in the past. This distribution has had a disproportionate impact on the Black/African American community, which constitutes a significant majority in these areas.

Many Native American and American Indian residents in North Carolina live in rural, low-median-income counties where internet service is limited. In Native American/Indian communities, there was some hesitancy to embrace the use of technological devices and the internet. Some covered populations may prefer receiving services from faith-based organizations (as often indicated by Black and African American participants in listening sessions), while others would prefer to receive services from other types of organizations (as indicated by members of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe). Furthermore, members expressed concerns about the lack of suitable space for hosting digital literacy classes, even though they have valuable community resources at their disposal.

The digital divide significantly impacts the Hispanic and Latino community, presenting a myriad of challenges that extend beyond mere connectivity issues. 

Low-income Households

North Carolina residents who are classified as living within low-income households (within 150% of the federal poverty line) grapple with a myriad of challenges in achieving digital equity. Despite the existence of several digital inclusion assets within the communities that are intended to serve low-income individuals and households in North Carolina, a lack of access to reliable internet hampers these community members’ effective use of, and connections to community resources, job opportunities, educational opportunities, and financial assistance programs. This is especially highlighted by challenges from students in families experiencing homelessness who may not be able to participate fully or at all in online learning.

Currently, 30 percent of low-income households have reported no access to the internet at their place of residence, with an additional 19 percent indicating that while available, the internet does not function well enough to meet their needs. The foremost barrier to internet access, as underscored by most survey respondents, is affordability, with over half expressing concerns about the feasibility of adding this expense to their already stretched household budgets. An advocate participating in the Forsyth County listening session posed the question, "How can we overcome the challenge of enabling low-resource neighborhoods to afford the services required for access?"

LGBTQIA+ Members

Digital equity challenges intersect with limited resources for North Carolina residents who identify as part of the LGBTQA+ community. Access to digital tools and services has become vital for education, employment, information, and social engagement, presenting significant advantages for these individuals. Navigating the digital world can be particularly isolating for LGBTQIA+ individuals due to difficulties in accessing supportive resources. Disparities in technology access and digital literacy within the LGBTQIA+ community contribute to existing inequalities, with some lacking the resources or knowledge to fully engage in the digital realm, restricting their access to essential services and information. While various agencies cater to the LGBTQIA+ community, there is a critical need for initiatives that are both inclusive and address digital literacy concerns.

Implementation Strategy and Key Activities

To address the barriers and needs of covered populations, the Division of Broadband and Digital Equity plans to advance digital equity and increase internet access, affordability, devices and repair services, digital literacy, cybersecurity and privacy, and the inclusivity of online services. Overall objectives for key barriers and needs as well as objectives to meet those needs for each covered population are outlined in the Division's plan.

Strategy 1: All North Carolinians have access to high-speed internet and to affordable, low-cost internet services.

Implementation Activities

• Support the state’s Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program plan objectives and implementation to ensure alignment with North Carolina Digital Equity Plan Goals.
• Support Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) to improve and expand free, public Wi-Fi locations.
• Increase awareness of and enrollment in low-cost and subsidized broadband internet programs like the Affordable Connectivity program (ACP).

Measurable Goals

• Unserved and underserved households have access to high-speed internet, with a baseline of 376,039 unserved Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) and 127,391 underserved BSLs, a near-term goal of 98 percent served, and a long-term goal of 100 percent served
• Eligible households subscribed through low-cost and subsidized internet services, with a baseline of 49 percent eligible households enrolled in the ACP, a near-term goal of 65 percent and a long-term goal of 80 percent
• Households are subscribing to high-speed internet and disparity is reduced across covered populations, with a baseline of 85 percent of households with an internet subscription, a near-term goal of 87 percent and a long-term goal of 90 percent
• Number of households with children with a home internet subscription, with a baseline of 81 percent and a long-term goal of 100 percent

Strategy 2: Promote practices that support online accessibility and inclusivity of public resources and services.

Implementation Activities

• Leverage partnerships within state government, local government and organizations serving covered populations to identify and develop North Carolina standards for online accessibility and inclusivity.
• Leverage partnerships to train staff in all cabinet-level agencies on online accessibility standards to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of state government websites and expand training and capacity to local governments and beyond.

Measurable Goals

• Increased confidence to access or apply online for government services, with a baseline of 89 percent of survey respondents indicating they were somewhat or very confident in accessing or applying online for government services, and a near-term goal of a 5 percent increase in this response.
• Develop increased state standards for online accessibility and inclusivity, with long-term goals of:
  • 100 percent of state cabinet-level agencies are trained on accessible website content.
  • Other public entities (ex. local governments) are trained to provide accessible online content.

Strategy 3: Ensure that North Carolinians can acquire the digital skills and understanding to meet their personal needs and the state’s workforce needs.

Implementation Activities

• Partner with workforce and education agencies at the state and local levels to identify and adopt high-quality digital skills standards, including digital privacy and cybersecurity standards and digital health literacy.
• Build on lessons learned from existing digital navigator programs to expand services across the state.
• Leverage digital navigator and digital literacy programs to expand partnerships with organizations serving covered populations to meet their specific digital literacy needs
• Leverage existing partnerships with state education agencies to engage students and families in digital literacy programs.

Measurable Goals

• Increase in the percentage of North Carolinians who are confident using word processing programs, finding educational content, applying for jobs, and communicating with a healthcare provider, with a baseline of 83-87 percent confidence on varying core digital skills, a near-term goal of a 5 percent increase, and a long-term goal of a 10 percent increase from the baseline
• Increase access to and geographic reach of services that meet individual needs to advance digital literacy, with a near-term goal of a 10 percent increase and a long-term goal of a 25 percent increase

Strategy 4: Promote practices and leverage tools to ensure online privacy and security.

Implementation Activities

• Partner with workforce and education agencies at the state and local levels to identify and adopt digital skills standards, including digital privacy and cybersecurity standards.
• Integrate cybersecurity and privacy training into curricula being implemented by digital navigators and other digital literacy efforts across the state.

Measurable Goals

•  Improve confidence and ability to protect personal data online, with a baseline of 81 percent confidence in online safety skills and 77 percent confidence in online privacy skills, a near-term goal of a 5 percent increase, and a long-term goal of a 10 percent increase

Strategy 5: Ensure that North Carolinians have access to digital devices to meet their needs.

Implementation Activities

• Increase public access to devices at community anchor institutions.
• Increase the supply of no-cost and low-cost devices in North Carolina.
• Develop and sustain a high-volume refurbishment and distribution system that supports the efficient movement of devices throughout the state and matches computing devices with the unique needs of the intended Covered Populations.
• Utilize trained and qualified partners for device deployment and technical support.

Measurable Goals

• The population has access to a quality public computer through a community anchor institution, with a near-term goal of a 5 percent increase from the baseline percent of access (under development), and a long-term goal of 100 percent of the population having access
• North Carolina households will own a working, large-screen (laptop, desktop, or tablet), internet-capable computer that meets their needs, with a baseline of 92 percent of households, a near-term goal of a 1 percent increase, and a long-term goal of 95 percent of households
• Increase in geographic spread of organizations offering low-cost computers and technical support

Give North Carolina Your Feedback

To submit public comment on the draft Digital Equity Plan released by the North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity, send feedback to digitalequity@nc.gov. The deadline for public comments is January 2, 2024. For more information on North Carolina's digital equity efforts, visit the NCDIT website.

More in this series:

• Creating Digital Opportunities in Nebraska
• 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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