Despite progress, digital divide in North Carolina high-speed internet access remains

North Carolinians without access to high-speed internet at home tend to face worse health, employment and educational outcomes than those with access. This “digital divide” was exacerbated after the pandemic brought so many essential services online. North Carolina leads the southeast in terms of internet access and subscription rates, according to Nate Denny, deputy secretary for broadband and digital equity for the NC Department of Information Technology (NC DIT). Still, 15 percent of North Carolinians do not have a subscription to high-speed internet. Progress is being made in terms of infrastructure: in July, the state announced an additional $112 million for their Completing Access to Broadband program, connecting 25,903 households and businesses across 19 counties. However, recent economic and legislative setbacks have set officials on edge.