Research

In a globalised world where the internet transformed our earth into a small village, the global South is left lagging. Internet accessibility remains a major hurdle facing a large proportion of people in the global South. The situation in Sudan is no exception. In the light of the economic instability, political turmoil and the United States-led economic sanctions imposed on Sudan, internet accessibility and making beneficial use of the internet are a real challenge, especially for women. This research explores the barriers to women’s access to and use of the internet in Sudan.

A new Pew Research Center study matching the survey responses and on-site behaviors of US adult TikTok users finds that a minority of avid posters create the vast majority of content on the site. And most users post seldom, if at all—instead using TikTok primarily to view and consume content made by others. Among our key findings about how the American public is using TikTok:

In 2021, Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program, a program that is helping eligible low-income households afford high-speed internet, and allowing them to stay connected with family, work, healthcare resources, and more. The program provides a discount of up to $30.00 per month toward internet service.

The vision of the Digital Equity Plan for Hawaiʻi will be the overarching guide that will steer the direction of all strategies, objectives, and actions in this plan. As remote work, online learning, telehealth services, and virtual interactions became essential, individuals and communities faced immense obstacles getting digitally connected. These challenges will continue without high quality Internet access, adequate tools, and the necessary digital literacy skills.

Small rural broadband providers are seeing average customer lifetime value (CLV) of just over $5,000, according to a new report from the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC). The report is based on a survey of NRTC’s rural broadband provider members. The survey had 84 respondents, including traditional telecom providers as well as electric cooperatives that offer broadband. About one-quarter of respondents have less than 2,000 subscribers, while another quarter have more than 15,000 subscribers. Other interesting provider metrics include:

In December 2023, the Utah Education Network, in collaboration with the national nonprofit Connected Nation, completed the state’s fifth school technology inventory. This is a statewide inventory of classroom technology and related resources at K-12 district and charter schools across Utah. Key findings include:

TPRC is the preeminent annual interdisciplinary conference on communications, information, and Internet policy that convenes researchers and policymakers from law, economics, engineering, computer science, public policy, data science, social sciences, and related fields working in academia, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations around the world. TPRC is seeking submissions for its 52nd conference, including papers, posters, panels, tutorials and the Student Paper Competition. Paper and poster proposals can be submitted through March 15, 2024.

Maine is the first state in the country to have its Digital Equity Plan approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This is a major accomplishment in that this represents the first statewide Digital Equity Plan to ever be developed for our state (and the first tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—also known as Bipartisan Infrastructure Law). And, it is fitting that our Digital Equity Plan can now be put into motion ahead of any infrastructure deployed through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

This Digital Equity Plan for Older Adults and People with Disabilities in San Francisco details an extensive investigative and strategic planning process aimed at enhancing digital equity for San Francisco's older adults and people with disabilities. The primary goals of this Plan are to describe the digital equity barriers and needs of San Francisco's older adults and people with disabilities, as well as the organizations that serve them.

Through the implementation of two Executive Orders on equity and President Joe Biden's Investing in America Agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration is working to advance opportunity and make real the promise of America for everyone.  In the rural South and dense