NDIA Continues to Influence Digital Inclusion Policy
As we continue to monitor the status of the infrastructure bill in the U.S. Senate, we’re excited to see resources and policies addressing digital inequities. The influence of NDIA and our community is striking in the draft language. Final passage of the bill remains uncertain. But we have definitely never come this close to such a significant investment in digital equity.
According to a fact sheet released by the White House on Wednesday, the bill is set to include $65 billion for the country’s broadband infrastructure and adoption, with the aim of ensuring every American has access to high-speed internet.
NDIA doesn’t have all the details yet, but we applaud what we expect to be included:
- The legislation will declare that broadband is essential to full participation in modern life
- Additional funds to improve and extend the Emergency Broadband Benefit
- The Digital Equity Act, which may be funded up to $2.75 billion(!!!)
- A “historic investment in broadband infrastructure deployment”
- Internet service providers receiving deployment funds will be required to offer “low-cost affordable plans”
As the language in the infrastructure bill is negotiated, NDIA continues to share expertise and experiences of local digital inclusion programs with federal policymakers.
Please monitor our blog, social media, and sign up for our listserv for continuing updates.