You will collectively review a collection of provided articles and links listed below related to the digital divide topic and then consider the challenge through multiple stakeholder lenses and collectively develop possible solutions. All articles are not required to be used, but at least one of the articles below must be used.
First, an overall summary (100-200 words) on how this need for broadband access should be addressed. This may simply be a A (Telecom) or B (Local) choice – or possibly a mixture of both.
Who should be responsible for providing broadband access to under-served regions? Should the commercial industry providers be compelled to provide it?
What role should state governments play in addressing access to broadband internet in under-served regions?
What are appropriate strategies for financial support of broadband in under-served areas? Federal subsidies to consumers? Federal subsidies to providers?
The most suitable strategy for financial support of broadband access in under-served regions is federal subsidies to the consumers. The Connect America Fund, which offered $10 billion grants to significant telecom companies failed since some of these providers rejected the offer (United States News, 2016). Therefore, providing consumers with subsidies considering their low-income states will help attract more service providers within the region. Besides, even if the infrastructure in these areas were similar to the urban areas, the digital divide would still exist.
