Research

This report advances the Meaningful Connectivity framework as a way to support more inclusive societies and strengthen digital economies. It measures the gap in the number of people with just basic internet access and those with meaningful connectivity and examines what this digital divide means for people’s online experiences. The framework focuses on four pillars: 4G-like speeds, smartphone ownership, daily use, and unlimited access at a regular location, like home, work, or a place of study.

This guidebook provides an in-depth look at successful models and recurring themes across digital inclusion coalitions, accompanied by best practices, lessons learned, and specific recommendations from the field. The guidebook is intended for individuals and organizations who are committed to advancing digital equity in their community and who recognize the value of coalitions in achieving that goal. Key themes include:

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) is responsible for establishing a nationwide public-safety broadband network. In this report, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified four key statutory requirements and contract responsibilities currently performed by FirstNet that Congress should address before FirstNet would sunset in 2027. For example, FirstNet oversees the network contract awarded to AT&T in 2017. The current statute does not identify another federal entity to assume oversight when FirstNet sunsets.

Do current measurement tools suffice in capturing the positive development impact of digital infrastructure and provide a lens through which to assess its potential downside risks? The inquiry focused primarily on payments, identity, and data exchange technologies—which together are commonly referred to as the “digital stack” and recognized as foundational components of any national digital transformation. Major findings include:

Regional internet service providers (ISPs) in the US have a clear role to play in closing the digital divide – here are four key business model factors that they can consider to enable network build and services more quickly:

The independent, nonpartisan Future of Tech Commission was formed to consider and propose a national framework and tech policy blueprint for the United States. Based on the range of input and information shared with us, it is clear that there is broad consensus on a few key points, namely that:

In a series of convenings beginning last spring, the NewDEAL Forum's Broadband Task Force brought together state and local policymakers who are making progress in closing the digital divide, along with advocates and other nonprofit and private sector leaders with expertise in improving access, adoption, and digital skills attainment. The initiatives outlined in this report, which constitute a selection of policy efforts drawn from those discussions, provide a blueprint for how other states and cities can tackle their broadband needs and inequities with new federal funds.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is completely enmeshed in our daily lives, a network of connected laptops, phones, cars, fitness trackers—even smart toasters and refrigerators—that are increasingly able to make decisions on their own. But how to ensure that these devices benefit us, rather than exploit us or put us at risk? New work, led by Francine Berman at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, proposes a novel framework, the “impact universe,” that can help policymakers keep the public interest in focus amidst the rush to adopt ever-new digital technology.

As state and local officials across the country consider bills addressing broadband service and decide how to allocate funding received through the federal American Rescue Plan Act, a new white paper from the Center for Rural Affairs offers ideas and solutions for improving access in rural areas.

On February 10th, Next Century Cities released "What Comes Next? A Community-Centered Approach to Legacy Network Retirement," a paper that advocates for the Federal Communications Commission to revisit consumer-protection safeguards to guide legacy telecommunications network retirement.