Digital Access Is No Longer a Luxury, But a Necessity

The world is digitizing at a rapid speed. Access to high-speed internet is now critical to expanding opportunities equitably, and the recent pandemic only served to further exemplify this. Access to quality health care, education, professional networks, and fundamental social interactions is sometimes only made possible by digital means. So I ask you, as we progress as a society with digital experiences engrained in our very infrastructure and way of life, are we taking everyone with us?

The answer is an overwhelming, no.

The promise and potential of the digital world are vast. Much has already been said about how vital having internet access has become--it is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Yet many households, businesses, and nonprofits still don’t have reliable and affordable access to broadband that is fast, dependable, and capable of transmitting large amounts of data with near-zero latency. These characteristics are essential for harnessing cloud computing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and the general internet tools that have transformed everyone’s daily lives. Here are just some of the ways that access to broadband affects the big picture:

• The number of good-paying jobs for those trained in technology continues to increase, so limited access means limited opportunity
• As access increases, environmental sustainability improves through innovative solutions for our earth, business, homes, and transportation
• Access to future “metaverses” will elevate social and commercial interactions to a whole new level through augmented and virtual reality
• Innovations in automotive mobility that rely on this access lead to better, safer, and more satisfying driver experiences

Those who are more fortunate often take for granted their financial means, daily access to fast internet, and ability to use multiple computers, smartphones, and other devices. Yet, so many still struggle to even get online. ?A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 60% of US home broadband users with lower incomes often or sometimes have connection problems, and 46% are worried at some level about paying for broadband. It is estimated that in the city of Detroit, my hometown, one-third of households lack reliable home internet, a working computer device, or the technical support needed to search and use the internet in their daily lives. The digital divide negatively affects the ability of many people to work, learn, and live life to its fullest, with detrimental impacts on health, financial stability, civic and social engagements.

The digital divide hits marginalized communities the hardest. It probably comes as no surprise that those who are already marginalized in our society are also at the most significant risk of being left behind or left out entirely of the digital revolution happening all around us. Some people with disabilities have unique accessibility needs that hinder independence and inclusion anywhere, even in their own homes. In addition, people of color are underrepresented in STEM-related fields, specifically technology, because racial inequity is often reflected in less digital access and training in their communities. Justice-informed individuals and military veterans returning to civil life sometimes find themselves at a further disadvantage because of the lack of technology access or skilling. As of late, the businesses and workforces impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are seeing side effects of rapidly changing technology and lack of accessibility with unfulfilled roles. Though digital inequity exacerbates many social issues, the opportunity to help improve the quality of people’s lives through digital inclusion is glaring. Some examples include:

• Digital inclusion + healthcare = telemedicine that leads to earlier diagnosis and treatments.
• Digital inclusion + financial services = easier access to banking tools and financial planning, leading to more stability and economic contributions.
• Digital inclusion + education = better virtual learning and assistance programs, leading to reduced “homework gap” amongst K-12 students and higher knowledge retention.

The list is indefinite and spans across all aspects of life as we know it. When our fellow citizens struggle to access the digital world, we all suffer from lost potential.

The time is now. Digital equity is receiving unprecedented funding and attention right now. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, awareness and acknowledgment of the digital divide are at an all-time high with 90% of US adults saying the internet has been essential or important for them during the coronavirus outbreak.

The US government, Microsoft, Connect313, and other high-profile organizations recognize the urgency of bridging this divide and are working to allocate funds and establish programs that support this mission. In fact, the US Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated $65 billion for broadband access, including the $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act to “promote digital inclusion and equity for communities that lack the skills, technologies, and support needed to take advantage of broadband connections” and to “accelerate the adoption of broadband through digital literacy training, workforce development, devices access programs, and other digital inclusion measures.” About five years ago, Microsoft promised to bring affordable broadband internet to rural America and has many projects in motion worldwide that pillar this pursuit. Connect313 was founded on the very principle of closing the digital divide in Detroit.

But data on the nation’s digital divide is woefully insufficient. Current broadband and other datasets lack accuracy, coverage, precision, and recency. This deficiency has been called out by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is responsible for implementing the Broadband DATA Act requirements to inform the US government’s broadband funding. In response, the FCC established a broadband data task force “dedicated to implementing long-overdue improvements to the agency’s broadband data and mapping tools.”

When one looks at the available data, it seems to paint a rosier picture than reality. “Broadband availability” percentages (which is how broadband access is commonly measured) tend to be much higher than “broadband usage” percentages (which are more relevant for those residents and communities that struggle to get and remain online). Joshua Edmonds, the City of Detroit’s Director of Digital Inclusion, made this distinction in his January 2020 US Congressional testimony on “Empowering and Connecting Communities through Digital Equity and Internet Adoption.” He compared the FCC-collected “broadband availability” data to Microsoft’s analysis on “broadband usage” and recommended that much more needs to be done to understand the disparity between them.

And it’s not just inadequate broadband datasets.?There is very little comprehensive data or research around digital literacy, ownership of appropriate computing devices, or ready access to technical support.?Let alone how one’s quality of life or the regional economy is affected based on whether (or not) residents can fully participate in the digital world and all it has to offer.

This lack of data and insight poses a daunting challenge for those trying to make smart, long-term investments to address the multiple digital divides.

There is not a one-size-fits-all solution to close the nation’s digital divide. Traditionally, digital inclusion strategy has been framed using a 3x2 matrix: a “three-legged stool” (connectivity, devices, digital literacy) applied to “unserved rural” or “underserved urban” areas. However, the varied and multiple digital divides manifest in so many ways—even within similar localities in similar regions—that a more nuanced, customized, and hyperlocal understanding and approach is needed to ensure digital equity and empowerment for all.

We are all responsible. No single stakeholder or sector in a local ecosystem owns the problem, or solution to, the digital divide. Therefore, cross-sector collaboration is essential—led by the community and fully supported by the public, private, philanthropic, nonprofit, and academic sectors. Digital inclusion resources need to be operationalized to coordinate multiple stakeholder efforts for progress. Coalitions must develop public-private “shovel-ready projects” to attract funding and produce results confidently. And every organization, stakeholder, and resident must be able to plug into the local digital inclusion ecosystem.

In this quarterly blog series, I plan to shed more light on the digital divide in search of a path toward digital inclusion in Detroit and beyond. My affiliations with Microsoft, Connect313, and the city of Detroit have fueled my passion for bridging the divide and allowed me the privilege of helping organizations leverage technology and data to create a positive impact.?Thank you for joining the conversation.