The document discusses expanding broadband access and adoption, especially in underserved communities. It defines broadband adoption as bringing the benefits of the internet to all, including disadvantaged groups. It notes that 35% of American adults lack high-speed internet access at home and discusses federal stimulus funding and the national broadband plan to improve access, digital literacy, and use broadband to track energy use. It also summarizes several programs and organizations working to promote broadband adoption through initiatives like community networks, training, and support.
Description: Organizations like Community Technology Network (CTN), Communities Connect Network (CCN), and Zero Divide have focused on building the capacity of organizations to support community technology providers. We will discuss this capacity building work, including best practices and challenges for increasing technology and broadband adoption. Top Three Takeaways for Session: 1. Infrastructure and resources needed to support community technology organizations 2. How to select technologies to support community collaboration 3. Information about programs that increase access and adoption of computers and broadband
Introduce self and org 5 min Survey audience -type of organizations represented, experience and interest in the topic area (5 minutes) Orgs working with tech adoption? Access? Training? Promoting collab? Build tools?
What is broadband adoption, digital inclusion, and why is it important? What is being done now at a federal level? (10 minutes) Slide on stats and data. --David and Karen 3 things necessary to support adoption: access, literacy (training), and relevant content --
David and Karen report issued last month by the FCC found that Three main barriers to adoption: affordability; lack of digital skills; and relevance. why
Karen : The Federal Communications Commission is proposing an ambitious 10-year plan for BB in America. The F.C.C. hopes that by 2020 at least 100 million households will have access to broadband capable of running 100 megabits a second, and for community institutions like schools and hospitals to have access at 1 Gbps . Examine subsidization to cover caps through Universal Service Fund, $8bil service fund for telephone and Internet access, a current phone bill surcharge. Migrate this subsidy to bb. Digital Literacy Corps (modeled on Americorps), a publicly funded effort to provide skills training and outreach in neighborhoods with low rates of broadband adoption. The FCC also wants to train workers at libraries and community centers on Internet basics so they too can provide digital literacy training. Plan: not adopted yet. Just released action plan which includes 60 proceedings. Ruth : ZD Recommendations: Make Broadband more accessible to low income communities: Provide broadband subsidies for low-income communities Expand Universal Service Fund subsidies to broadband Connect America Fund, which will spur build-out in unserved areas. Allow Universal Service Fund Lifeline voice subsidy to apply to bundle that includes voice and broadband Create Broadband adoption programs that address the barriers to underserved communities Develop and Fund public/private partnerships to support programs to eliminate adoption barriers for non-adopters Sponsor a national awareness campaign Build broadband capacity of community based organizations Increase resources to connect schools, libraries, hospitals and other community based organizations to serve as robust broadband community access centers. Invest in community programs that build leadership to promote broadband adoption Launch a National Digital Literacy Service Corps to train community members in computer skills
(20 minutes) IV. Discussion and examples about programs that increase access and adoption of computers and broadband CTN efforts
Broadband Adoption Efforts: WA
Over the last 10 years, ZeroDivide has supported a number of programs to increase technology adoption in low-income and underserved communities. We have employed two major strategies to address the affordability issue: 1. Create low-cost or free broadband services in unserved and underserved communities, primarily through the deployment of community wireless networks: Little Tokyo Unplugged contributes to economic development of the Little Tokyo area of Los Angeles, helps promote the community’s culture and history, and provides broadband access for low- income residents. Tribal Digital Village 2. Support community-based organizations as key access points for low- income and other underserved communities Self Help for the Elderly-Courses are taught year-round by instructors that provide small group classes in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Central American Resource Center-To foster communication, the organization hosts family integration nights and sponsors an inter-ethnic youth leadership development program. These programs have been tremendously successful in increasing broadband access in underserved communities in the home and through community access points.
Discussion about infrastructure and resources needed to support community technology organizations and public computing centers (15 minutes) Talk about CCN grant components Advocacy support – David Videoconferencing – David. Bandwith issues around e-Learning, discussions. Partnership Building, incl. content (expertise in relevant content: to use services, not just be aware of them.) What else? Discussion boards? Meetups Online Forums Listservs: Google Groups, Yahoo Groups Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn Wiki Collabtive Basecamp Google Docs/Windows Live/Zoho portal
Kami & David
Kami & David David—getting folks to use the wiki Karen talk about survey administered to determine interest in resource portal, platform, and ways to encourage use. Use of wikis for conferences and training (ZD)
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