Topic: Digital Divide

Bridging the Digital Skills Gap

As the United States continues to tackle the digital divide, the challenge involves much more than installing internet service—which is just one component of a holistic and much bigger issue. More Than Just Access: While giving every American household the opportunity to gain access to the internet is critical, another barrier to broadband adoption often overlooked is the lack of digital skills in the workforce. Because if people don't possess the necessary digital skills to navigate the internet, access alone won’t open doors or unleash the limitless opportunities that broadband can provide

Why It Matters: The Affordable Connectivity Program

As the nation continues efforts to connect more people to high-speed internet, one big step forward worth examining is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The program is helping to remove some of the barriers that impede low-income Americans from getting broadband at home—a testament to America's commitment to increasing broadband adoption and advancing digital equity. And as more initiatives and partnerships launch to support the ACP, it's important to understand why the program is so critical to closing the digital divide. What Is the ACP? In short, the ACP offers government

Comcast's Partnerships in Tacoma Are Advancing Digital Equity

As the U.S. continues the important task of connecting more Americans to high-speed broadband this year, the past few years have demonstrated that public-private partnerships are a critical and successful tactic for closing the digital divide. A model that communities can emulate started in Tacoma, Washington, where Comcast has long partnered with the City of Tacoma, the Tacoma-Pierce Chamber, and local, nonprofit organizations including the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound. The company’s latest investment in the region came last fall, when Comcast announced $300,000 in awards to

New FCC Data Confirms Cable Gigabit Speeds Are Deployed Equitably

Before the U.S. can accomplish the important task of connecting all Americans, it is important to understand where broadband already exists in both rural and urban areas. Having accurate data about existing broadband networks will enable billions of federal and state funding and other resources to be dedicated where they are needed most (communities without service). Through decades of investment and billions of dollars in private capital, cable providers have built high-speed networks across the country and have continuously upgraded their technology and the quality of their service offerings

NCTA's Michael Powell on America's Broadband Mission

"It's going to get pretty chaotic." Those comments from NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell aptly captured the tone of this week's Senate subcommittee hearing about the challenge (and historic opportunity) of connecting every American to robust broadband service. In addition to testifying in the Senate hearing, Powell shared his insights with NCTA's State Leadership Conference on the cable industry's role in building out robust and resilient networks, what the federal government is getting right with the latest broadband funding plans, and what will be required to tackle the challenges that

NCTA's Broadband Stories Year in Review

As 2022 is coming to a close, it’s worth taking a look back at the tremendous efforts by America’s cable broadband leaders to reach and connect the people most in need of a high-speed broadband connection. Check out these handful of stories from the past year which represent a small sampling of the many initiatives that cable providers are engaged in across the country. Rural Broadband Expansion Across rural America, cable internet service providers (ISPs) are continually building out broadband networks to connect more unserved Americans. These projects include a combination of private capital

How Cox's Low-Cost Internet Plans Are Changing Lives

Low-cost broadband adoption programs are delivering overwhelmingly positive results to participants, according to new survey data released by Cox Communications last week. Through its Connect2Compete and ConnectAssist plans, Cox provides multiple options for families or individuals to use reliable internet service for little to no monthly fee. Connectivity Transforms Lives So far, Connect2Compete has connected 2.5 million people, and Cox is committed to getting even more signed up. Mark Greatrex, President of Cox Communications, emphasized that the company "will continue to prioritize

Comcast Partners to Close the Digital Divide with Launch of ACP Enrollment Programs in Western Massachusetts

With Thanksgiving and the giving season just around the corner, it's all the more fitting to spotlight the cable industry's year-round efforts to invest in its communities and to achieve digital equity across America. To focus on Comcast, yesterday NCTA spotlighted the cable provider's recent digital equity initiative in the Boston area. This $500,0000 investment is just one of many across the United States that exemplify the deep commitment the industry shares toward closing the digital divide, and is part of Comcast's larger commitment to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through Project UP

Comcast's Investment in Boston Area Leads to Digital Navigator Programs

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, there is no better time to highlight a generous contribution from Comcast to nonprofit organizations in the Boston area which focus on closing the digital divide. Earlier this month, Comcast awarded more than $500,000 in grants to 17 organizations which focus on digital access and broadband adoption. This investment is one of many that the media and technology company is making in multiple cities as part of its Project UP initiative. Project UP is Comcast's 10-year, $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity through programs and community