Access Broadband Dashboard

 

Mapping Impacts of Federal Broadband Investments on Local Communities

Who has access to broadband in your community? What is the demographic and economic profile of the communities that don’t? How could investments in broadband infrastructure impact your local economy?

As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the ACCESS BROADBAND Act of 2021 charged the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) with tracking federal broadband investment. The legislation requires NTIA to report on the economic impact of federal broadband investments on local economies, including any effect on small businesses or jobs.

The NTIA has been working with the U.S. Census Bureau to develop the ACCESS BROADBAND Dashboard as part of this effort.

Digital Equity Forum

Access to broadband services is essential and Washington residents are still struggling to get online. The state’s goal is to provide all residents access to high-speed broadband – 150 Megabits per second download and upload – by 2028.

The Washington State Office of Equity and the Washington State Broadband Office are partnering to convene and co-chair a Digital Equity Forum. The forum will include representation by:

  • Tribal governments

  • Underserved and unserved communities, including historically disadvantaged communities

  • State legislators

  • State Agencies

Broadband office—Goals.

RCW 43.330.536

It is a goal of the state of Washington that:

(1) By 2024, all Washington businesses and residences have access to high-speed broadband that provides minimum download speeds of at least twenty-five megabits per second and minimum upload speeds of at least three megabits per second;

(2) By 2026, all Washington communities have access to at least one gigabit per second symmetrical broadband service at anchor institutions like schools, hospitals, libraries, and government buildings; and

(3) By 2028, all Washington businesses and residences have access to at least one provider of broadband with download speeds of at least one hundred fifty megabits per second and upload speeds of at least one hundred fifty megabits per second.

[ 2019 c 365 § 5.]

By January 2023, the Digital Equity Forum will develop recommendations for the Legislature. The forum will consider all voices in developing recommendations that:

To learn more about the work of the Digital Equity Forum and how to become involved, email us at: digitalequity@commerce.wa.gov

Digital Equity Forum Members: Amanda Six; Bre Urness-Straight; Cindy Aden (she/her); David Keyes; Elizabeth Gordon; Jennie Harvell; Jesus Hernandez; Jon Claymore; John Sheller; Laura Ruderman; Lisa Rosenblum; Maria Siguenza; Renee Rooker; Wendi Gunther; Agaiotupu Viena; Anna Zivarts; Darryl E. Hunt; Eu-Wanda Eagans; John Sheller; Sameth Mell; James Bamberger; Tiffany Circle; Jessica James Zinda; Sharayah Lane; Sharonne Navas; Melvinjohn Ashue; Rituja Indapure; Trevor Lane; Cathy MaCaul; Bill Kehoe; Representative Matt Boehnke; Representative Mia Gregerson; Senator Shelly Short; Senator Lisa Wellman.

Community Members: Christene Scott; Angela Kleis; Suzanne Pak; Carissa Hahn; Carolyn Logue; Courtenay Burns; Donna Feddern; Elizabeth Iaukea; Hannah Newton; Jodi Ruback; Jon Morrison Winters; Marisol Tapia Hopper; Andrew Entrikin; Andrew Calkins; Sabrina Roach; Christene Scott; Nigel Gray; Jocelyn Granados; Amanda Jahshan; B. Hooper; Bert Klimas; Cassie Jones; Chelsea Millar; Daniel Himebaugh; Dave Roussy; Debra Hansen; Dusty La May; Ethan Perry; Heidi Lindgren-Boyce; Janice Jantz; Jennie Dickenson; Jennifer Ashby; Jody Opheim; Jon McConnel; Jon Morrison Winters; Genevieve Jones; Joseph Medeiros; Julie Honekamp; Kaela Salivio-Bird; Karen Goschen; KC Merchant; Keitha Bryson; Kristopher Larsen; Laura Bagnall; Laura Loe; Laura Young; Leslie Hardwick; Lloyd Levine; Mark Cockerill; Ralph Ibarra; Reagan LaBor; Sheri Sinn; Shira Rosen; Brian Anderson; Sami Bailey; Gerard Bradford; Keitha Bryson; Courtenay Burns; Atul Deshmane; Payton Dorothy; Stanislav Fritz; Chis Ganuong; Carissa Hahn; Eileen Kazura; Kris Keilor; Charlotte Kerney

Resources

Internet Options for Low- and Fixed-Income Households

Written by Tyler Cooper
Last Updated: Feb 28, 2023 | Published: Jul 20, 2020

  • Cheap internet is available with several assistance programs from major internet service providers like AT&T and Xfinity.

  • Public Wi-Fi networks and hotspots are free, but you should use a VPN service to protect your online privacy.

  • The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) to support low-income households.

Having access to reliable internet service is more important than ever, but many plans are expensive for low- and fixed-income customers. Fortunately, you can take advantage of multiple plans and programs to secure low-income internet service or free high-speed internet.

Our guide covers low-cost and free internet options for households with low- or fixed-income and how to apply to government and non-government programs for affordable broadband. Let’s take a closer look.

Low-Cost Internet Service

There are four main internet connection types that differ in speeds and pricing:

  • DSL: Slow, reliable, and often the most affordable.

  • Satellite: Wide availability, slow, unreliable, and higher pricing.

  • Cable: A balance of speed and value.

  • Fiber: Limited availability, fast speeds, and higher pricing.

The best type of connection depends on the deals available in your area and your budget for internet service. Free internet options are also available in nearly every location — if you know where to look.

Before evaluating the best free options, it’s important to note that you will most likely need to make concessions to get your internet for free. You can generally expect slower speeds, less reliable connections, and greater limitations on data usage. If you don’t plan to use much data and you’re content with slower speeds, then free internet can save you a lot of money.