- Legislation Could Renew ACP
- Broadband Report Card: Ranking ARPA-Funded Projects
- BEAD Funding Initial Proposal Approvals Continue
- Libraries Receive $2.7 Million to Build Digital Literacy
- Pittsburgh Nonprofits Receive $150,000
- Digital Inclusion for People With Disabilities
LEGISLATION COULD RENEW ACP
Bipartisan, bicameral legislation to renew the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was introduced this week by U.S. Reps. Mike Carey and Nikki Budzinski. The legislation, known as the Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act, would restore the program and reinstate the $30-per-month discount on Internet service. In addition to restoring the ACP, the legislation would replace insecure wireless Internet equipment.
In a related vein, the amendment to fund the ACP with $7 billion, attached to the PLAN for Broadband Act, cleared the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Wednesday.
“More work lies ahead, but the vote reignites the hope for millions of American households looking for consistency in what they pay for Internet service every month,” Kathryn de Wit, project director of The Pew Charitable Trusts’ broadband access initiative, said via email.
June 1 marked the ACP’s official end, but wind-down procedures had started in January as stakeholders had foreseen the program’s funding running out. Its end has impacted about 23 million Americans.
Budinski said in a public statement that “despite [the ACP’s] success, Congress failed to keep this transformative program funded.” This inaction led to the loss of Internet access for millions, but this bill is intended to bridge that gap.
While some Internet service providers have started offering low-cost plans, not all of them meet the standard set by the ACP. The Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act aims to fill this gap.
The legislation has been endorsed by a range of organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union, Common Sense Media, Benton Institute, INCOMPAS, New America and more.
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), an organization dedicated to digital equity, has played an integral role in supporting those impacted by the program’s end, even creating an ACP Transition webpage.
“On behalf of the 1,700 digital inclusion programs we represent, we urge Congress to act quickly to fast-track this legislation and reverse the devastating impact that ACP’s end has had on household budgets across the country,” NDIA Policy Director Amy Huffman said in a statement.
BROADBAND REPORT CARD: RANKING ARPA-FUNDED PROJECTS
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) released a “Broadband Report Card” to assess the impact of 14 county-level projects across 10 states that use the American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
Notably, of the 14 projects included in the study, only five used union labor. According to CWA, this reflects “the corporate opposition to unions in the broadband sector that has held down wages and working conditions.” The five projects that used union labor performed better on labor standards and matching contributions.
In the forthcoming work for states as they access Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment Program funding, CWA urges state decision-makers to prioritize stakeholder involvement and public transparency, ensure policymakers take a long-term view when evaluating tech, and use high-road labor practices — meaning paying prevailing wages and hiring local.
BEAD FUNDING INITIAL PROPOSAL APPROVALS CONTINUE
At the state level, three more states have had their initial proposals approved for Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding, as of Thursday morning. The program is a $42.45 billion state grant program, established through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
This week, Massachusetts, New Mexico and Virginia are the latest in a series of states to see these proposals accepted. Last week, Utah and Connecticut saw their proposals accepted.
Through the BEAD program, Massachusetts will receive up to $147 million. New Mexico will receive up to $675 million and Virginia will receive up to $1.4 billion. With these initial proposals approved, BEAD-eligible entities can access funding and begin to stand up their programs.
LIBRARIES RECEIVE $2.7 MILLION TO BUILD DIGITAL LITERACY
The Public Library Association (PLA) is expanding digital literacy opportunities with a $2.7 million contribution from AT&T. Applications are open for the PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive and the PLA Digital Navigator Workshop Incentive. Public libraries can apply through Oct. 18.
Public libraries play an essential role in closing the digital divide, according to a 2022 American Library Association report. More recently, PLA released its 2023 Public Library Technology Survey report, which found that 95 percent of public libraries offer some kind of digital literacy training. According to the expansion announcement from last week, AT&T’s investment will support capacity building in this space.
PITTSBURGH NONPROFITS RECEIVE $150,000
In local news, Comcast has awarded $150,000 in grants to four nonprofit organizations in Pittsburgh to expand Internet access. The awards will support programs and community partnerships ranging from coding classes for students to social media training to e-commerce business support.
The investment is part of the company’s $1 billion commitment to digital equity, Project UP. Comcast has also supported communities in Massachusetts, Indiana and elsewhere. Also, as part of Project UP, the company recently launched a new grant program with the U.S. Conference of Mayors called Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge.
In addition to the grants, Comcast has begun ongoing network expansion projects in Allegheny and Butler counties.
DIGITAL INCLUSION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
July is Disability Pride Month, and this year, the month was the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It has been a significant year for this population with respect to digital inclusion, as a Department of Justice ruling decreed all state and local government digital content must be accessible.
At the end of July, the Department of Commerce released a blog highlighting the Digital Equity Act’s role in supporting this population. Specifically, three grant programs under the Digital Equity Act are intentionally designed to support people with disabilities, including the recently opened Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant Program.
For those applying for federal funding that are hoping to more effectively serve people with disabilities, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration released a guide last year to help entities understand this population’s needs and target outcomes.
