Digital divide
A digital inclusion advocacy toolkit: bridging the digital divide by winning community benefits in municipal broadband projects
How to enhance digital inclusion for communities
Authors:
; Media Alliance
Publisher:
Social Science Research Council, USA, 2007
This toolkit aims to be a resource for community members who want to advance digital inclusion in their area where their local government is exploring a broadband/ high-speed Internet initiative.
The authors argue that whether via a wireless signal broadcast into the air, or a high-speed cable or fibre line running through a local neighbourhood, a connection to the Internet is an essential element of digital inclusion. Looking at lessons learnt in the United States, the authors state that many municipal broadband projects have stopped of ensuring residents get access, leaving them to fend for themselves when it comes to navigating the many remaining obstacles in order to make meaningful use of this new access.
A number of action steps are highlighted including:
- determine community needs and what Internet technology solution will best meet them
- learn if additional equipment is needed for robust Internet connectivity
- ensure that the discussion does not end with Internet connectivity
- secure a guarantee that the broadband system will be non-discriminatory and provide open access to multiple Internet service providers (ISPs).
