This week in “What’s New in Digital Equity” — our weekly look at government digital equity and broadband news — we have a number of interesting items, which you can jump to with the links below:

OLIVIA TRUSTY JOINS THE FCC

The U.S. Senate this week confirmed Olivia Trusty to be the third FCC commissioner, creating a 2-1 Republican majority. She is filling the opening left by former FCC Chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel.

This move follows recent news that both Geoffrey Starks and Nathan Simington would be stepping down from their commissioner roles. These officials are members of the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively.

The FCC is typically split along party lines, but Starks’ resignation makes Commissioner Anna M. Gomez its single Democratic member pending the nomination and Senate confirmation of another.


Some experts have raised concerns about this. Alejandra Montoya-Boyer, senior director at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights’ Center for Civil Rights and Technology, said that although Simington’s departure leaves the FCC without a quorum, the Senate should not confirm Olivia Trusty unless her nomination is paired with a replacement for Starks to ensure the FCC remains balanced.

Without the traditional bipartisan balance among commissioners, some stakeholders are concerned key initiatives like the E-rate program and a cybersecurity pilot could be impacted.

Trusty was confirmed by a 53-45 vote, with only one Democrat — Sen. John Fetterman — voting in her favor.

“I look forward to working with [Olivia Trusty] to return the FCC to its core priorities of protecting consumers, promoting innovation and competition, and securing our communication networks,” Gomez said in a statement.

Stakeholders from organizations including the Wireless Infrastructure Association, NTCA, and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation have responded positively to her confirmation, in statements.

Although there was bipartisan support for Trusty’s appointment based on her qualifications, the lack of a Democratic nomination and the proposal of specific policies related to spectrum management have spurred opposition.

The FCC is an independent federal agency monitored by elected officials, charged with the implementation and enforcement of national communications laws and regulations. It has operated as an independent federal agency since its creation in 1934.

Previous actions by this administration to threaten the FCC’s status as an independent agency have garnered criticism for diminishing the system of checks and balances.

AI IS PART OF DIGITAL LITERACY

Experts have indicated that artificial intelligence may widen digital access inequities, or even create a new divide altogether. As such, AI skilling is increasingly a priority for universities, businesses and government — from New Jersey to Maryland and elsewhere.

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) recently submitted recommendations regarding the intersection between AI and digital literacy, to the National Science Foundation’s request for information on the Development of a 2025 National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development (R&D) Strategic Plan; and the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on “AI in the Everyday: Current Applications and Future Frontiers in Communications and Technology.”

The overarching theme in NDIA’s comments and recommendations is that AI skills are digital, and therefore, they should be incorporated into other such skills programs.

NDIA also recommends that the Digital Equity Act be reinstated following its cancellation. The organization is one of more than a hundred calling for the program’s reinstatement.

In addition to reinstating the $2.75 billion program, NDIA recommends that research and initiatives for acquiring AI skills should be funded, and research and implementation activities should be conducted. This, NDIA argues, will help to achieve the federal government’s AI goals for the U.S.

Finally, NDIA recommends the creation of ongoing engagement opportunities for the digital skills practitioner community to understand the role of AI.

TENNESSEE LIBRARIES GET FUNDING

In Jefferson County, Tenn., libraries will receive $10,000 in funding through the Training Opportunities for the Public (TOP) Grant. The funding will help libraries cover the cost of digital literacy instructors, Wi-Fi hot spots, Internet connections, and other digital literacy instruction needs.

Libraries play an essential role in getting people the skills and Internet access they need. In Tennessee, $291,405 in TOP Grant funding is being awarded to support connectivity needs in 54 public libraries around the state.

The grants, administered by the Secretary of State’s Office are funded by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Notably, technical skills play a role in nearly all jobs today — 92 percent.

Meanwhile, libraries are also grappling with the way the federal government’s cancellation of the Digital Equity Act, which Congress established as law in 2021, will impact planned initiatives to upskill residents — as seen in Idaho.

MAINE’S NEW DEVICE ACCESS PROGRAM

In other states news, the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) has launched a new device access program called the Maine Tech Share Program. This initiative was developed in partnership with the nonprofit device refurbisher, give IT. get IT.

“Getting people a device that meets their needs for work, school, health care, or other personal benefits is one of the most direct ways to enable Internet access,” MCA Digital Equity Manager Jessica Perez said in a statement.

The program lets businesses and other organizations in the state safely recycle devices, which can then be refurbished and distributed to Mainers who need them; the goal is to source 25,000 devices. Officials will engage with organizations to encourage device contributions.

SURVEY FINDS CONSUMERS PREFER FIBER

A new consumer broadband study reveals U.S. residents believe fiber broadband is the best option for reliable, high-speed Internet service. The survey of 2,650 Americans focused on which broadband technology performs best. Rural respondents ranked fiber broadband higher than all the other options combined. Fixed wireless broadband ranked the lowest with only 4 percent of votes.

“This research confirms what we’ve long known: Americans, especially those in underserved rural areas, recognize that only fiber can meet the demands of modern life,” Deborah Kish, Fiber Broadband Association vice president of research and workforce development, said in a statement. “That is what our communities are asking for, loud and clear.”

The study comes after the recent changes to the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program, which prioritizes tech neutrality rather than fiber — which has been deemed the “gold standard” by experts for its long-term benefits.



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