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Resources for Affordable Internet ��

Bridging the Digital Divide

in Our Communities

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TALES FROM THE FOOTHILLS

There was an old woman

who lived in a shoe

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WORKSHOP OBJECTIVE

Help municipalities enhance internet affordability and access by providing context, exploring barriers and offering practical strategies and potential resources.

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Overview of Presentation

Challenges & Barriers

Solutions

Digital Navigation

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CONTEXT -

Aging & Technology Survey 2023

7 rural Councils on Aging in northwest Hampshire County

Executive Office Aging and Independence – ARPA pass through

$300,000 18 mos 6 weeks to apply

Digital Literacy services for over 3,600 adults 60 +

Internet access Devices to use internet

Training Technical support

Libraries Promotion

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CHALLENGES

Resources

Financial

Time & Planning

Funding

Knowledge

Committment

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BARRIERS

Planning

Municipal Light Plant restrictions

Legal & Corporate “Proprietary”

Who & Where

Offer and they will ask – PhD resident and “broadband”

“Didn’t seem fair or above board”

Digital Equality versus Digital Equity

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AFFORDABILITY & ACCESSIBILITY

Rural Geographies affect

Cellular signal & hotspots as solution

Cell company service maps

Towers

Construction

Fiber & cable installations over distance & terrain

Old home wall construction

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HAVES & HAVE NOTS

EQUAL

  • Everyone gets same thing regardless of starting point/need
  • Everyone treated the same
    • Policy
    • Payment
    • Processes
  • Profitability
  • Make the most

EQUITABLE

  • People get what they need
  • Fairness
  • Distribution of resources & opportunity based on need
  • Proportionate to income, value
  • Have less Pay less
  • Fairness
  • Serve the most

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HAVES & HAVE NOTS

EQUAL

EQUITABLE

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PLOWING

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TAXES

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VACCINATION

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CONGREGATE HOUSING

FCC restrictions on Senior / Low Income Housing management

No Phone, cable TV, internet

No assistance with phone/ internet signup

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Municipality may not “own” the housing complex

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FUNDING & FINANCIAL PRACTICES

  • Municipal finance
  • Municipal accounting
  • Municipal procedures

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  • eEconomy – Different requirements for methods of payment
  • Grant timelines –funding gone before policy / procedures changes
  • Digital service providers with pencil and paper payment systems

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SOLUTIONS

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DIGITAL NAVIGATION