The digital skills required to effectively use broadband are often elusive. This resource details the importance of supporting digital skills to increase broadband adoption.

This piece from The Benton Institute examines the ways governments can ensure competitive choices for renters in multi-tenant environments (MTE), as the lack of competition contributes to the nation's broadband affordability challenges. The author recommends that Congress and the FCC act on anticompetitive practices and prohibit contracts that discourage access to broadband, and that state and local governments lower the barrier to entry.

This piece argues for Congress to establish a broadband credit to ensure everyone can afford broadband, as the debate of its status as a luxury or essential connection is over. Broadband is a critical service to engage in modern life and federal dollars should help make it more affordable.

This blog recommends that Congress or the FCC create a fixed broadband program for low-income people that delivers connectivity at affordable prices. Federal intervention can ensure people can connect even in areas with little-to-no provider competition.

This resource argues for universally available, affordable broadband for everyone in Illinois. A study conducted by the Illinois Broadband Advisory Council reveals that race, ethnicity, and age are important factors in internet access and adoption. The blog uses the multiple findings from the study to initiate a conversation about broadband access, adoption, and affordability.

This resource discusses results of Census Pulse surveys that show device availability has increased during the pandemic, whereas internet access at home has not grown. The availability patterns play out along familiar lines of household income. It can be interpreted that it has been easier to deliver computers to students than it has been to provide internet access.

A paper arguing that traditional job-training systems currently do not bridge digital skills gaps that middle-skill job seekers face. As the need for middle-skill jobs has doubled, efforts need to be made to integrate broadband into training for those positions, as both a delivery mechanism and a wraparound service.

This report from the Benton Institute presents findings from a survey designed to elucidate the roles coalitions have played in supporting digital equity ecosystems in their communities during the magnified challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. The findings may help local communities, organizations, and policymakers understand and address the digital equity challenges related to distance learning, telehealth, economic inequality, social isolation, and racial injustice.

This blog argues that offering low-cost devices can be just as important as broadband service. Connected devices are critical components of digital inclusion efforts and the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program may be a lost opportunity if the program does not also help households get affordable devices.

This Broadband Plan, published in 2018, outlines the history and current state of Arizona’s broadband programs and sets goals and policy recommendations for the future of its broadband development. The plan also examines case studies of initiatives taken by other states.

This broadband plan from the state of Alaska, published in 2019, reviews broadband-related challenges unique to Alaska, the current state of broadband in Alaska, strides made in the five years since the 2014 Alaska Broadband Plan, and recommendations for continued progress through 2024.

This report highlights the digital divide in southern Louisiana, providing analysis of the current state of broadband in the region, as well as recommendations for next steps to improve broadband, such as basing expansion on fiber networks.