FCC Event Highlights Urgency for Affordable, Reliable Broadband and Digital Devices and Skills to Empower Success in Every Community

On Tuesday, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Geoffrey Stars hosted a virtual event, “Connecting Black Communities: Federal, State, and Local Strategies for Closing the Digital Divide.” The event included federal, state and local leaders who discussed the urgency to completely eliminate the digital divide to ensure people in every community, regardless of zip code, have the same opportunities to succeed in the 21^st century classroom and economy.

During the event, panelists, speakers and the moderator highlighted the need to expand access to affordable, reliable broadband and digital devices and skills. Speakers noted the historic opportunity for positive progress presented by federal programs recently established by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, including the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Fund and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Digital Equity Act programs. Speakers also emphasized the importance of maximizing the positive impact of federal programs, including by providing localities and providers flexibility, to close the broadband gap and secure digital equity for as many people as possible.

Here’s what the leaders from across the country and all levels of government had to say during the event:

Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, Federal Communications Commission:

“The internet is an indispensable resource that touches nearly every aspect of daily living: education, business, better health and social connections. But far too many Black Americans, in particular, remain on the wrong side of the digital divide, unable to fully participate in the 21st century society and seize its opportunities. In fact, recent research finds that almost one-third of Black adults do not have a home broadband connection. That must change. We will never curb the digital divide unless we close the wide gap in connected Black households. We can no longer defer the hard work on digital equity and believe that a future group and time will solve this issue. This is the time, and now is the moment.”

“However, as I have said many times, setting up these programs is only half the battle. They must work, and work well, to meet disconnected Americans where they are. What excites me about today’s event is that it explores what we have long known: only a whole-of-nation approach can drive the results we need. That must include engagement by federal, state, and local leaders, action by the public and private sectors and of course execution guided by the needs of our vulnerable Americans.”

Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC), U.S. House of Representatives:

“We have a historic opportunity to connect unserved and underserved communities that are being left behind in this digital age. … The pieces of legislation we have enacted offer a comprehensive three-pronged approach that invests in high-speed access, affordability and adoption to close the digital divide. It recognizes that for unserved families and underserved communities, affordability and adoption are just as critical as fiber and labor. Our history informs us that such large-scale investments have all too often short-changed the communities most in need.”

Secretary Gina Raimondo, U.S. Department of Commerce:

“Too many families can’t afford the costs of broadband or live in areas where they can’t even access high-speed internet. Gaps in access mean gaps in opportunity. Fewer opportunities to learn and work from home, remotely visit doctors or stay connected with family and friends. America’s diversity is a strength, it’s a competitive advantage, but only if we give everyone an opportunity to fulfill their potential and fully participate.”

Mitch Landrieu, White House Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator:

“Access to the internet is not just a luxury anymore, it is in fact a necessity. Our dual focus on both access through deployment and ensuring affordability is key to making this something that we all can enjoy. You see broadband deployment can only be transformational if people can afford to purchase the internet service being offered. I cannot think of a better way that this bill will directly benefit real people’s lives. You see real people, real problems, real solutions.”

Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, Federal Communications Commission:

“When we talk about opportunity for all we need to talk about broadband for all. Broadband is the infrastructure of the present and platform for the future. This pandemic has proved it. As a nation we headed online like never before and it converted so many activities from physical to digital, schoolwork, health care, entertainment, you name it. We also have a sacred duty to make sure that digital present and future is one we can all reach.”

Commissioner Nathan Simington, Federal Communications Commission:

“Underserved areas exist in all 50 states but the causes and solutions are not uniform. They vary from state to state, city to city and neighborhood to neighborhood and if the unique circumstances are not taken into account, it will fail in ensuring all Americans are connected. One size will fit none. The NTIA can’t do this alone. It depends on state and local government industry and community groups to determine the problems and solve them.”

Administrator Alan Davidson, National Telecommunications and Information Administration:

“We see the need, we have been given the resources, we have bipartisan support to do this. But it will take that whole of government approach and whole of nation approach you mentioned, Commissioner. We are ready to work with you and with everybody in America to finally close the digital divide and bring high speed reliable internet to everyone in America.”

Dr. Fallon Wilson, Vice President of Policy, Multicultural Media, Telecom, and Internet Council:

“I have to take this moment to say what a remarkable time we are living in where we can really end the digital divide as we know it. As a digital advocate for 20 years, it is amazing, as a country, we are here and in a panel discussion about how connecting black communities is needed to strategically and intentionally coordinate federal, state and local strategies to end the prolonged battle for digital inclusion access for the African American communities.”

Lori Lightfoot, Mayor, City of Chicago, Illinois:

“In a city like Chicago, the digital divide is a racial divide. It really disproportionately impacts African Americans. I will give you some statistics from Chicago. One in five children under 18 lack access to broadband and they are primarily Black and Latinx… 40 percent to 45 percent of households do not have in-home broadband. These communities are majority Black, and they are hardest hit during the pandemic with food insecurity, unemployment, housing clams, emotional and social issues, health care access, the list goes on and on.”

Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor, City of Augusta, Georgia:

“We say water is life and while water is life, we understand that broadband access equals community and the lack of it. I share Mayor Lightfoot’s sentiments this is not a rural issue, it is an American issue. When I think of so many of my residents in inner city Augusta that, in the urban core, who do not have access.”

Mandela Barnes, Lieutenant Governor, State of Wisconsin:

“Access to the internet has never been more critical and inequities stem from the inability to access the internet and exacerbated with the pandemic, especially by people of color. …  Broadband alone is just not enough to successfully access internet for every person in the state. We need affordable service, internet adoption support, low-cost devices and digital literacy which is part of this conversation.”

Scott Woods, Director of the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives, NTIA:

“Broadband is one of those issues along with the others. Lack of health care. Some instances, lack of infrastructure. So, we have to approach these with a greater sensitivity and listen and don’t think we are just coming in to solve just a broadband issue and then we are gone and that is it. We have to really have a greater sensitivity and understanding that this fits into a larger context of issues, historical, cultural, systematic in these communities. And we have to approach it that way and be intentional with our work and the partners that we partner with.”

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