Digital divide — broadband connectivity is a fundamental human right
Restricting access to the Internet isolates people and cuts them from services.
According to the PEW Charitable Trusts, about 21 million Americans, nearly three in ten citizens, don’t have access to broadband, defined as internet connectivity with a download speed of at least 25 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speed of at least 3 Mbps. Their research also highlights that about 40 per cent of schools and 60 per cent of healthcare facilities outside metropolitan areas lack a reliable internet connection. Now more than ever, citywide open access fiber networks could be the answer to America’s digital divide.
In June 2016, the Human Rights Council of the United Nations General Assembly declared that access to the Internet is a basic human right and should be protected as such. The 2016 UN Resolution is the latest addition to a substantial body of laws and regulations aimed at promoting the right to Internet access, also known as the right to broadband or right to connect.
The main argument here is that access to broadband is necessary to exercise other fundamental human rights. Among these are the right to freedom of speech, the right to education, and what the United States Declaration of Independence aptly termed “the pursuit of happiness,” intended as the right to pursue social mobility.
The question of online accessibility came to the fore once again recently. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable groups such as low-income households, most of them living in predominantly non-white neighborhoods, found themselves cut out of basic services, now provided online, such as education and healthcare.
Discrimination and monopolies — a recipe for disaster
Inequalities in accessing digital services are part of the wider problem of redlining, a discriminatory practice that emerged in the 1930s, aimed at denying access to services for low-income neighborhoods or neighborhoods with a high proportion of non-white residents. The effects of redlining persist today and affect relatively new sectors such as telecommunications and broadband access.
The problem is worsened by the traditional business model of US broadband, where Internet Service Providers (ISPs) both own and operate the network infrastructure. This means that, unlike in most European countries, US citizens who live outside major urban areas can normally rely on only one ISP, the one that owns and operates the network infrastructure in their area.
This model contributed to the creation of a handful of monopolies that dictate prices and deprive consumers of choice. It also led to further disinvestment in rural areas and areas populated by low-income communities, where the potential return on investment (ROI) doesn’t justify the cost of building and maintaining the necessary infrastructure for fast and reliable connectivity.
On the other hand, the model embraced by SiFi Networks, based on a common infrastructure that provides ubiquitous citywide coverage and supports a variety ISPs, could help immensely in tackling the digital divide.
SiFi Networks builds open-access fiber networks that are entirely privately funded. However, our funding strategy is based on a long-term investment in the communities we serve. This means that we strongly believe in building networks that reach each and every household and business in town, regardless of the income level of their neighborhoods, because with excellent connectivity, the economically challenged districts of today could be the thriving business areas of tomorrow.
The ubiquitous, citywide coverage of our networks facilitates the implementation of multiple services that can further contribute to closing the digital divide — from low cost e-health solutions, to remote education.
This means that, instead of having to do their homework in a fast-food parking lot to access free Wi-Fi, as many had to do during the pandemic, children could study from the comfort and safety of their homes. Of course, this also means that the children’s schools would be able to deliver lessons through fast and reliable platforms, allowing teachers and students to enjoy a seamless and productive e-learning experience.
Access to a fiber network would also revolutionize the work of community health center (CHCs) which are currently struggling to provide telehealth services. CHCs predominantly serve low-income, uninsured patients, who represent some of the most vulnerable citizens in the current climate. Improving access to e-health services such as remote monitoring and video consultations is a fundamental step to help economically disadvantaged communities thrive.
Now more than ever, access to broadband needs to be treated as a fundamental basic right, and we cannot stand by and watch as millions of Americans are denied it. We need to take action now to help bridge the country’s digital divide.
So, what can you do to help?
It might seem hard for individual citizens to help change the status quo. However, thanks to social media, consumers have never had more opportunities to advocate for social change. So, here are a few steps that you can take right now:
- Raising awareness is key. Like and share this article with your connections to spark a conversation on the necessity to tackle the digital divide.
- Educate yourself on the origins of the digital divide. Read and share the resources provided by authoritative organizations, such as the Greenlining Institute.
- Visit SiFi Networks’ website to find out how the implementation of ubiquitous fiber networks will revolutionize American telecoms, helping everyone get access to fast, reliable and affordable broadband as well as to digital services such as telemedicine and distant learning
- Advocate to make your city the next American FiberCity®, where the infrastructure for excellent connectivity reaches each resident and business in town. For more information, click here.
