Research

Connected Nation (CN) released a new research report titled, “Beyond access: Learning the digital skills to thrive online,” which can be found here. The report describes what the term “digital literacy” means, details its importance, and discusses different approaches to teaching digital skills.

OpenVault released the Broadband Insights Report for the fourth quarter of 2024. Highlights include:

This policy brief examines the targeting of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a $42.45 billion federal initiative under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) aimed at expanding high-speed internet access the United States. The analysis links state-designated BEAD-eligible locations to key demographic indicators, focusing on “BEAD clusters” – census block groups where at least half of broadband-serviceable locations qualify for funding.

The advancement of digital technologies has led to the evolution of media content delivery methods. In particular, Over-The-Top (OTT) services have experienced an explosive growth in the video content industry. The skyrocketing data traffic increases the burden on ISPs’ infrastructure, and the discourse on CPs’ payment of network usage fees has emerged. It is significant to review the case of Netflix-SK Broadband in South Korea, the world’s significant legal dispute over network usage fees.

Americans’ views of two prominent tech executives – Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg – tilt more negative than positive. Musk is a deeply polarizing figure, with Republicans largely viewing him favorably and Democrats largely unfavorably. By contrast, views of Zuckerberg are less polarized, with majorities in both parties viewing him unfavorably. Just over half of U.S. adults (54%) say they have an unfavorable view of Musk, including 36 percent who have a very unfavorable opinion of him.

New economic analysis of the Affordable Connectivity Program—which offered monthly broadband service subsidies to low-income households—finds that the economic benefits generated by the program far outweigh its costs. Highlights include:

Having reached much of their 5G coverage and capacity goals in the urban and suburban areas of the U.S. in 2023, the big-three national U.S. wireless operators have turned their attention toward expanding their 5G networks into rural markets. This strategy is intended to help operators acquire new subscribers, particularly as growth in the urban and suburban markets has slowed. But the big three U.S. wireless operators have taken very different approaches when it comes to expanding their 5G networks into less-densely populated areas. 

This report summarizes the key discussions and insights from an in-person symposium held in September 2024 on the topic of children’s online safety policy. During the symposium, the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) attempted to foster meaningful dialogue, identify areas of consensus and disagreement, and chart actionable paths forward. Key themes from the symposium include:

Fiber broadband is recognized as the fifth necessary utility for 21st century life, on par with water, sewer, electricity, and paved roads that households and businesses need for education, entertainment, health care, commerce, employment, the delivery of essential government services, and so much more. The COVID pandemic underlined the need for reliable, high-speed, low-latency broadband for everyone, regardless of geographic location. But what tangible economic benefits does fiber deliver to homes, businesses, and communities?

Broadband access for all has long been a critical issue for The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and The Leadership Conference Education Fund. With the launch of the Center for Civil Rights and Technology in September 2023, these legacy civil rights organizations renewed their commitment and dedication to closing the digital divide—the persistent gap between people who have access to digital technology and those who do not. The startling connections among demographics, regions, and lack of access to broadband highlight the critical need to close this gap.