Broadband expansion alone is not enough to improve access to digital services

Federal broadband expansion efforts aim to ensure that every American household has a reliable and affordable internet connection in order to learn, work and access online services. But even with a fiber connection, many challenges still stand in the way of access to the internet and digital services. Some are unable to afford the necessary devices or internet services. Others lack a high-quality connection or digital literacy skills altogether. As a result, the relatively new field of digital equity and inclusion rose into prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The use of that infrastructure—the network, the internet—means that the digital services that the government has is engaging and now more folks can participate in it,” said Angela Siefer, executive director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. “One of the things that became very clear to a lot of folks during the pandemic was: Just because an infrastructure is available, doesn’t mean folks are using it.” Some argue that digital inclusion should be included in conversations about broadband expansion and closing the digital divide. So far, policymakers seem to be responding to the call. The historic $42.45 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program was a landmark 2021 federal initiative aimed at closing the digital divide that also requires recipients to create and execute digital equity plans in addition to their efforts to expand fiber connections.