Arkansas organizations work to close digital divide

Summary

Many Arkansans still lack reliable Internet access, especially in rural areas, a challenge highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Arkansas Connectivity Coalition, alongside the Arkansas State Broadband Office, is working to close this digital divide and make high-speed Internet more accessible and affordable. Director Glenn Howie urges residents to check the accuracy of federal broadband maps to help guide efforts. This initiative, aiming for equitable opportunities in education, healthcare, and quality of life, will involve extensive planning in the coming year to address the digital gap and ensure statewide solutions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Many people rely on phones and laptops every day, but not all Canadians have internet access to do so.
• 😀 The Arkansas Connectivity Coalition is committed to making high-speed internet more accessible and affordable.
• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of addressing the digital divide, especially in rural communities.
• 😀 In rural areas, lack of internet access makes it difficult for people, especially children, to access important information.
• 😀 The Arkansas State Broadband Office is working to tackle internet access issues throughout the state.
• 😀 A recent map revealed that about 269,000 locations in Arkansas lack reliable internet access.
• 😀 The Arkansas State Broadband Office is asking Arkansans to check the federal map for accurate reporting of their location's internet access.
• 😀 The state's efforts to close the digital divide involve creating a detailed action plan for broadband infrastructure and funding.
• 😀 Both Glenn Howie (director of the Arkansas State Broadband Office) and Hunter Goodman believe that widespread internet access will benefit everyone in Arkansas.
• 😀 Access to reliable internet can improve opportunities in education, healthcare, and overall quality of life for Arkansans.
• 😀 If interested, people can view the map and participate in the effort on the THV 11 website.

Q & A

What issue is being addressed in the script?

The issue being addressed is the lack of reliable internet access in rural areas of Arkansas, which has been made more evident by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who is working to close the digital divide in Arkansas?

Hunter Goodman, who works with the Arkansas Connectivity Coalition, and the Arkansas State Broadband Office are working to close the digital divide in Arkansas.

Why is internet access important, especially in rural communities?

Internet access is important because it allows people to access essential information, such as educational resources and healthcare services, which can be difficult to obtain without reliable internet.

What role does the Arkansas State Broadband Office play in this initiative?

The Arkansas State Broadband Office is working to ensure equitable internet access for all Arkansans and is involved in creating a broadband infrastructure plan to secure additional federal funding for the state.

What is the significance of the federal map mentioned in the script?

The federal map helps to determine which areas of Arkansas have reliable internet access and allows Arkansans to verify the accuracy of the data provided by internet service providers.

What is the goal of the Arkansas State Broadband Office for the coming year?

The goal for the upcoming year is to submit a broadband infrastructure action plan to the federal government and secure additional funding to improve internet access across the state.

What percentage of Arkansans qualify for digital equity and opportunity programs?

According to the script, 87.3% of Arkansans qualify for digital equity and opportunity programming.

How can Arkansans contribute to the efforts to improve internet access?

Arkansans can contribute by visiting the federal map, checking the accuracy of their internet service availability, and participating in the initiative to help improve the state's broadband efforts.

What benefits will widespread internet access bring to Arkansans?

Widespread internet access will provide more equitable opportunities for education, healthcare, and overall quality of life for Arkansans, especially in rural communities.

How will the planning efforts for broadband infrastructure help the state?

The planning efforts for broadband infrastructure will help ensure that Arkansas receives additional federal funds and develops a comprehensive strategy to improve internet access across the state.