NDIA Blog
Affordability Highlighted before Congress as Key to Rural Broadband
NDIA Affiliate Land of Sky Testifies before House Subcommittee “We need a holistic approach to the digital divide that includes infrastructure, affordability, devices, and skills,” said Sara Nichols during her testimony yesterday before Congress. Sara, a senior...
Trailblazers Program Sets a New Bar for Digital Inclusion in Local Governments
Towns/Cities/Counties Can Apply by Oct. 20NDIA is now accepting applications for 2023 Digital Inclusion Trailblazers. Over the past seven years, NDIA recognized 39 cities, towns, and counties as Digital Inclusion Trailblazers. This year, NDIA is proud to introduce...
NDIA’s Roadmap to Digital Inclusion: Shaping the Future of USF
In May, Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and John Thune (R-SD) created the Universal Service Fund (USF) Working Group – a bipartisan forum for the six working group members to discuss USF reforms, policy, and education. Luján and Thune are joined by Senators Amy...
Finding Federal Funds for Tribal Digital Inclusion
Tribes are using digital equity funds to do amazing work toward closing the digital divide. Mohawk Networks has signed up over 450 people in the community for a monthly $75 discount on their internet bill through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Digital...
Join the Fight for ACP– New NDIA Toolkit Helps You Take Action!
The future of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is in jeopardy. The program that makes internet more affordable for over 20 million households will run out of funds between March and June 2024 if Congress doesn’t act. Congress introduced the program as the...
‘Digital Navigators’ Turn Three. We Can’t Believe It Either!
This month, we mark three years since NDIA first introduced the “digital navigator” model. The first NDIA Digital Navigator Working Group met in April 2020 and worked quickly, with the pandemic and lockdown fueling the urgency to solve digital inequities. By July...
Indigenous Digital Sovereignty: From the Digital Divide to Digital Equity
AIPI Introduces New Definition for 'Digital Sovereignty'“Digital sovereignty” has become a critical concept for not only Native American Tribes in their pursuit of affordable and robust internet access but also for non-Native partners in understanding the importance...
Your Voice Matters: State Digital Equity Plans Seek Public Feedback
States have officially started releasing their State Digital Equity Plans and opening their public comment period. Below are the plans that are live as of July 6, 2023: Montana: Digital Opportunity Plan (Public Comment Period Closed: June 16, 2023) Maine: Draft...
ACP Maps, Dashboards, and Tools: Which is Right for You?
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible households with a subsidy toward their internet bill. While ACP is a valuable step toward digital equity for many households, we must help eligible households take advantage of ACP and guide Congress to renew...
Digital Navigator Spotlight: Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley
NDIA had the privilege of training and supporting a total of 105 participants with the Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley over the past year. This regional model combined the efforts of neighboring library networks Ramapo Catskill Library Council and Mid-Hudson...