Think local about the digital divide

Small-scale internet projects are far from perfect. They can struggle for lack of money, technology problems, or failures to get residents involved. But some people who are pushing for better and more fair online access in the United States say that small-scale internet networks, in combination with savvier government funding and policies, are part of the solution to America’s digital divide. And we might be seeing more of these efforts: New York officials said in July that they planned to redirect taxpayer money from the Police Department to help fund more community internet networks, particularly for residents in public housing. Donnel Baird, BlocPower’s chief executive, said that he wants to help prove that it doesn’t necessarily cost a fortune for local officials, business executives and community groups to expand internet access in big cities. “There is no reason people in New York, Detroit and Chicago shouldn’t have internet access,” said Baird. “This is a totally solvable problem.”