Resources for Broadband Advocates: Making Digital Equity A Reality in Pennsylvania

The most powerful broadband advocacy starts in communities where residents inform of the connectivity solutions they need. The resources provided in this report are designed to give local officials, residents, advocates, and allies (a) a snapshot of broadband access and adoption in Pennsylvania, (b) background on the elected and appointed officials tasked with improving digital equity statewide, and (c) recommendations on partnerships that could accelerate progress on addressing broadband gaps. In 2023, Pennsylvania ranks 16th among the states in speed and availability. Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) will be the core entity to determine how Pennsylvania allocates Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds. It was created as an independent agency of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) with a mission of closing Pennsylvania’s digital divide so all Pennsylvanians can get connected to affordable and reliable high-speed broadband internet at home, at work, or on the road. The Authority is responsible for creating a statewide broadband plan and distributing federal and state monies for broadband expansion projects in unserved and underserved areas of Pennsylvania.