The United States has put tens of billions of dollars directly into broadband infrastructure, most notably through the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. But this massive investment will only see returns if the populations it aims to connect actually use the broadband networks to get online. To accomplish this, the Digital Equity Act (DEA) programs put $2.75 billion into targeted efforts to increase demand by tackling non-infrastructural barriers to internet adoption.
In addition to more traditional concerns such as a lack of broadband infrastructure or affordability, non-adoption can stem from causes ranging from low digital skills to distrust of the internet. Since reasons for non-adoption are complex, multifaceted, and individualized, targeted strategies are needed to address them—strategies that the DEA will fund. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is now administering the DEA Competitive Grant Program, through which non-governmental organizations can apply for funding with programs that address the various barriers to adoption. After assessing the first round of applicants, NTIA recently announced some initial winners for Competitive Grant funding. This and later rounds of funding will support localized, ground-up programs that are best suited to addressing the hesitations and concerns of real people and getting them online.
The Competitive Grant Program represents the final step toward achieving the benefits of a fully digitally-connected nation, including increased government efficiency, economic benefits, workforce development, improved health outcomes, and enhanced national competitiveness. Its funds can help promote future-oriented skills like cybersecurity and AI literacy. Join the Open Technology Institute at New America, in partnership with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, to hear from some of the earliest Competitive Grant Program awardees on the implementation and intended impacts of their winning programs. We’ll discuss how these and programs like them will modernize the United States and ensure that we lead, rather than lag, in today’s digitally-focused world.
