Connected Nation
Beyond access: how digital literacy impacts economic, educational, and health outcomes in America
Connected Nation (CN) released a new research report titled, “Beyond access: Learning the digital skills to thrive online,” which can be found here. The report describes what the term “digital literacy” means, details its importance, and discusses different approaches to teaching digital skills.
The great BEAD monitoring challenge
Over the next 12 to 18 months, the vast majority of the $40 billion or in broadband deployment funding that U.S. Congress enacted in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will have been allocated to specific internet service providers (ISPs) for specific projects. Unless something goes wrong, all the roughly 6 million to 7 million BSLs targeted by the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program will be included in some BEAD project. But the hardest part of the work will still lie ahead.
How Louisiana solved the BEAD Rubik’s Cube
On November 18, 2024, Louisiana’s Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity (also known as ConnectLA) posted its Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Final Proposal for public comment, which was an historic achievement. Not only did Louisiana finish months ahead of other states, but it appears to have achieved the BEAD program’s objective of getting on a track for universal broadband coverage—and overwhelmingly by means of projects that will use best-in-class, end-to-end f
States are in the driver's seat as the BEAD program finally gains momentum
The largest-ever federal broadband expansion program—Broadband Equity, Access and Development or BEAD—was passed in November 2021 but is only now really starting to hit its stride. No one has been connected to broadband by BEAD, nor have any BEAD funds been awarded to any internet service provider (ISP) for expansion purposes. But they will come soon.
BEAD’s progress and variety: Some states are charging ahead but some will need more time, and BEAD mapping is complicated
As the three-year anniversary of the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act approaches on November 15, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program hasn’t connected anyone yet, but a lot is in motion. Application windows are open. Louisiana is ahead of the game and should complete its subgrantee selection soon. Some states, though, will need extended time.
Program review: Where does BEAD stand three years in?
On November 15, 2021, U.S. Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which created the Broadband Equity, Access, and Development (BEAD) program. BEAD’s $42.45 billion budget makes it the largest federal broadband deployment program to date.
Mind the Gap: Closing the Digital Divide through affordability, access, and adoption
Connected Nation collaborated with AT&T to explore attitudes toward home broadband service and the Affordable Connectivity Program. Researchers spoke with 1,758 households in five metropolitan areas about their home internet service, awareness of programs that could help make broadband more affordable, and reasons why some households still do not subscribe to high-speed internet. Of those, 453 respondents meet the income eligibility requirement to participate in the ACP; these households are identified as “low-income” in this study. Among the key findings from this study:
DE-CIX to Support Connected Nation & Newby Ventures in Closing the Digital Divide in the US
DE-CIX, the world’s leading operator of Internet Exchanges (IXs), and Connected Nation Internet Exchange Points (CNIXP), a joint venture between nonprofit Connected Nation and Newby Ventures, are entering a strategic partnership for the establishment and operation of edge IXs in unserved and underserved markets across the US to
Connected Nation Launches Digital Literacy Program In Collaboration with AT&T
Connected Nation is launching a Digital Literacy program in collaboration with AT&T. The program is part of AT&T’s national digital literacy initiative to help narrow the digital divide. The Digital Literacy program will offer in-person and virtual digital literacy training workshops across the country where this training is needed most for the digital empowerment of residents.