By Corian Zacher

NCC’s Senior Policy Counsel for Federal Affairs, Ryan Johnston, hosted a panel on what local and state leaders can do to protect broadband consumers.

• Denise Linn Riedl shared that 10-15% of South Bend residents rely on their smartphone for Internet access. Check out South Bend’s Digital Equity Roadmap to learn more.

• Ariane Schaffer offered an overview of the FCC’s forthcoming Broadband Nutrition Labels, which is intended to help consumers understand their Internet bill and pricing.

• Burt Lum spotlighted broadband coalition-building in Hawaii through Broadband Hui, guided by principles laid out in its Digital Equity Declaration.

• Jay Runte highlighted efforts in Eugene, Oregon, to build a microwave point-to-point system as a cost-effective strategy to improve resilience during natural disasters. 

NCC’s Executive Director, Andy Stutzman, joined a panel on shaping strong digital inclusion ecosystems:

• Marta Urquilla shared CentriTech Foundation’s Digital Advancement Municipal Index, which helps local leaders understand where their community is situated. 

• Andrew Buss explained that the digital inclusion ecosystem approach helped Philadelphia better understand community needs through the City’s Household Internet Survey. Expanding partnerships across city agencies is one way that Philadelphia seeks to build new opportunities. The existing partnerships and community relationships helped the city more quickly respond to device needs during the pandemic and maintain sustainability even once COVID-response programs waned. Improving accessibility of online city services remains an ongoing effort.

• Andy Stutzman dug into the ways that mapping and accurate data are critical tools for local governments engaging with states, applying for funding, and evaluating policy. Andy spotlighted data collection efforts in Oakland to analyze speed test history from school laptops to locate neighborhoods without adequate service.

• Aneta T Lee discussed Illinois’ strategy to leverage university partnerships and data visualization tools are an important piece of local digital equity planning. Aneta noted that statewide relationships, established convenings, and robust data gathering are key strengths that universities bring to digital equity planning. The Broadband Breakthrough program has been equipping local leaders in Illinois to build infrastructure and expand digital navigation and device services.

• Ashley Putnam leads a strategic initiative at the Federal Reserve Bank that works on economic mobility. Broadband infrastructure access and digital inclusion are critical components of addressing economic inequities. Using data to create narratives is imperative to building sustainable, workable digital inclusion programs. Learn more about the Federal Reserve Bank’s digital inclusion research.

Later during the conference, Ryan Johnston sat down with National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)’s Evan Feinman for a fireside chat to discuss the critical role that multi-dwelling units (MDU) play in the BEAD Program.

Following day two of the conference, NCC co-hosted a mixer with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, providing local leaders from across the US with the opportunity to network with community partners across the country.