Pass the Infrastructure Bill and Bridge the Digital Divide

The bipartisan legislative package advances digital opportunity for everyone — regardless of socio-economic status.

via Unsplash

By Michael Nguyen

ON AUGUST 10TH, THE SENATE reached bipartisan agreement to pass a sweeping $1 trillion infrastructure bill. Among other things, this bill outlines measures that will make broadband internet more affordable for low-income families across the country. It also includes funding to support broadband deployment to communities that are lacking, as well as dedicated funding to ensure these communities have the skills ready to tackle the online world. As the past year has shown, the pandemic has had a widespread impact on all of our communities. Thankfully, the Senate proposal looks to direct broadband funding throughout both urban and rural areas of the country and seeks to ensure that digital inclusion efforts amply address the varying and unique needs that too many of our communities face.

Billions in new proposed funding will go towards creating the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides additional support for low-income households to get and stay connected. Funding will also go towards connecting hard-to-reach communities, like rural areas, to high-speed broadband internet. There are also specific allocations for digital equity programs to equip users with the skills necessary to take full advantage of broadband connectivity by making digital tools and resources more readily available.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder of how more and more basic services are moving online — creating heightened concerns around affordability and access for many disadvantaged communities across the country. Addressing these deep digital gaps is necessary to end the cycle of America’s haves and have nots. The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community stands to benefit significantly from the broadband provisions included in the infrastructure package, especially when combined with all of the other government funding appropriated over the last year and a half that can be used to support broadband affordability and access.

While studies show that 95% of English-speaking Asian Americans use the internet, disaggregated data shows stark disparities that point to a persistent digital divide. One school district in Hawaii, for example, faced such challenges during remote learning. While laptops were distributed to all of their students, 29% of them lacked internet access to attend online classes and meetings. In 2019, over 21% of Native Hawaiians and 29.0% of Burmese Americans were enrolled in SNAP, compared to only 1.4% of Taiwanese Americans. The message is clear that affordability and resource access continues to be a challenge for select AAPI communities, which calls for a set of solutions that can meet communities where they are and effectively address varying broadband-related needs.

Bridging the digital divide is an issue that transcends partisan divisions. The Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement on key broadband provisions and have carefully crafted a plan that will honor both urban and rural communities alike. As such, the House of Representatives should move quickly to pass the Senate bill. Further revisions will upset the delicate balance that has been reached and only further delay — or worse, jeopardize — access to internet for so many people in this country. We are heartened to see a recent procedural vote by the House — signaling a vote is forthcoming on this critical legislation this month.

As the infrastructure bill continues to be discussed in the House, it is important to underscore the fact that these broadband provisions were crafted to support both urban and rural America and ensure greater digital inclusion across the board. Our communities need support now. If the House prioritizes this bipartisan effort, we will be one step closer to bridging the digital divide and advancing digital opportunity for everyone — regardless of socio-economic status.

Michael Nguyen is the Associate Manager of Policy and Advocacy at OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates.