What Higher Ed Can Bring to Closing the Digital Divide

With federal broadband infrastructure spending now in play, public officials now must turn their attention to how best to bring high-speed Internet service to those trapped on the wrong side of the digital divide. Partnering with higher education can be a major part of the solution. Partnering with higher ed makes good sense. States and local governments do not have the time, personnel, or expertise to successfully implement such a far-reaching initiative. Further, as the pandemic subsides, public officials will have their hands full with reopening governments, revising budgets consistent with available revenues and managing the transition of their workers from home back to the office. The mission of higher education institutions aligns closely with the goal of training a huge public and building national broadband networks and infrastructure. Getting broadband and digital literacy to every American — while taking advantage of the opportunities for college affordability and student learning — is a big step toward achieving that goal.

[Dr Jabari Simama is an education and government consultant and a senior fellow with the Center for Digital Government.]