Broadband Access Is A Civil Right We Can’t Afford To Lose – But Many Can’t Afford To Have

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the digital divide in an unprecedented way. As civil rights leaders and a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, we are calling on our nation’s leadership to enact a robust connectivity plan to address the immediate and future needs of marginalized communities. An astonishing 34 percent of Black adults, 39 percent of Latino adults, and 47 percent of those on tribal lands do not have a home broadband connection. This compares with the 21 percent of White adults who do not have broadband at home. We must acknowledge that systemic barriers, including affordability, are preventing communities of color from adopting broadband. Digital literacy and the lack of access to computers are also significant factors. Our remedy must be bold and expansive in enacting inclusive connectivity policies that center on communities of color.

The House of Representatives has made a start with legislation like the HEROES Act, which appropriates $5.5 billion to address the digital divide during the pandemic. The Senate must act swiftly—the need for immediate connectivity and broadband access has never been greater. The FCC also has an important role to play. New and existing recipients of programs like SNAP and Medicaid can get connected with a free smartphone—but only if they know about the Lifeline program. The good news is that 144 members of the House and Senate agree, and they recently called on the FCC to increase subscribership by coordinating with agencies like USDA and HUD to ensure that recipients are immediately notified about their eligibility for Lifeline.

Long-term, however, lawmakers must address the complex mix of challenges – affordability of devices and connections, helping to expand low-cost internet and device offerings that many will need long after this emergency. Rep John Lewis (D-GA) said, "Access to the internet..is the civil rights issue of the 21st century." We agree. The alarming current and forecasted impacts of COVID-19 show us that people can no longer wait for connectivity. Now is the time to come together to ensure all communities have access to affordable and reliable broadband.

[Reverend Al Sharpton is the founder and president of the National Action Network. Geoffrey Starks is a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. Vanita Gupta is the president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Marc Morial is the president and CEO of the National Urban League. Maurita Coley is the president and CEO of the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council.]