At Senate Commerce Committee Hearing Today, Digital Equity Advocates Highlight Broadband Adoption and the Need for a Digital Equity Foundation

At its hearing this morning titled “Ensuring Solutions to Meet America’s Broadband Needs” the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Media and Broadband heard testimony on how “new federal support for broadband access, affordability and inclusion will bring us closer to closing the digital divide and achieving digital equity.”

In her testimony, Angela Siefer, Executive Director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), emphasized:

"We also need sustained federal funding for digital navigator programs, digital skills training, broadband adoption, and devices (not just for students). Representing the digital equity community, I ask you to make the Digital Equity Foundation a reality. Funded by future spectrum auctions, this will provide a reliable long-term support mechanism with the ability to flex to new needs."

NDIA is a founding member of the Airwaves for Equity Coalition. The Coalition’s founding organizations also include New America’s Open Technology Institute, Common Sense Media, the American Library Association (ALA), Consumer Reports, Center for Rural Strategies, Public Knowledge, the Schools Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, Common Cause, the National Hispanic Media Coalition and NextGen Policy.

The following can be attributed to Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Project at New America’s Open Technology Institute:

“The Airwaves for Equity Coalition commends Chairman Lujan and his colleagues for introducing the Digital Equity Foundation Act. Our coalition strongly agrees that a Digital Equity Foundation endowed with revenue from future spectrum auctions can provide the sustainable funding needed to close the digital divide for good.”

“Without sustained investments in digital adoption and inclusion efforts, the huge new investments in broadband infrastructure and affordability won’t close the digital divide.”

The following statement can be attributed to Amina Fazlullah, Senior Director Equity Policy, Common Sense Media:

“Today's hearing reminds us that to maximize our investments in broadband infrastructure, leaders in government must couple infrastructure investments with parallel and ongoing support for digital inclusion programs so that every family can fully access and use information and communication technologies.  

“The need for digital inclusion programs will only increase so it is essential that we make long-term investments in digital inclusion as we move forward with the deployment of our broadband networks. Doing so will ensure that every corner of our country benefits from investments in access, affordability, and meaningful adoption of high-speed internet. We commend Senator Lujan for introducing the Digital Equity Foundation Act which creates a clear pathway to sustainable ongoing investments in digital inclusion programs.”

The following statement can be attributed to Greg Guice, Director of Government Affairs, Public Knowledge:

"Digital equity is a critical component to addressing the digital divide. Without addressing digital skills and literacy needs, device access and more, we will not realize the full benefits of broadband. A long-term investment in these efforts is critical and the Digital Equity Foundation Act of 2022 is the right approach. By reinvesting auction proceeds in this important aspect of the digital divide, the Digital Equity Foundation can help ensure families can fully participate in our digital economy. We commend Senator Lujan and the other cosponsors of this legislation for their commitment to closing the digital divide as reflected by the Digital Equity Foundation Act and other bills they have put forward for consideration by this Congress."