Broadband adoption, equity, and inclusion
Below are core concepts, tailored to Alaska’s Tribal communities, that frame how we measure and enhance connectivity and meaningful use.
Digital divide
The digital divide is the gap between people who have affordable internet, the skills to use it, and support, and those who do not. As technology advances, the divide limits equal access to education, health care, jobs, and civic life. In Alaska, long distances, extreme weather, high transportation costs, seasonal work, and a lack of local technical support further widen this gap. The digital divide affects Alaska Native and Indigenous peoples, low-income families, people with disabilities, elders, and remote village residents the most.
Digital equity
Digital equity means everyone can use technology and has the skills to fully participate in society, democracy, and the economy. This enables involvement in culture, job seeking, learning, and accessing services. To achieve equity, infrastructure, affordability, devices, skills, and support must fit community needs and languages.
Digital inclusion
Digital inclusion means everyone, especially people at a disadvantage, can use information and communication technologies. It has five key parts: an Affordable, reliable broadband service that meets community needs.
- Affordable devices suitable for users should include durable models for Arctic conditions and options for shared use.
- Digital literacy and skills training should be available in various languages and formats.
- Technical support for hardware and software must be responsive to users’ needs.
- Digital navigation services help individuals find, enroll in, and access resources.
Digital inclusion must keep up with changing technology. Planning and investment are needed to remove obstacles to access and use. A digital inclusion ecosystem joins programs and policies to serve local needs. It addresses affordability, devices, skills, and support. Signs of a strong digital inclusion ecosystem include:
- Affordability: subsidized broadband plans based on local usage and pricing.
- Devices: community-driven device programs, such as loaner programs, bulk purchasing, and options for repairability.
- Skills: ongoing multilingual training (including Alaska Native languages) held in accessible places.
- Support: local technical help and reliable digital guides are available in community institutions.
- Collaboration: Tribal governments, schools, libraries, health providers, ISPs, and advocates work together with residents to create solutions.
Broadband adoption
Broadband adoption means having high-speed internet at home. In practice, it means having daily, reliable internet access.
- Sufficient speed, quality, and capacity for daily tasks (health portals, schooling, remote work).
- It also means having the digital skills needed to participate safely and effectively.
- Personal or shared devices connected to a secure, easy-to-use network.
In Alaska, household subscription rates may not show real access. Shared community Wi-Fi, anchor institutions, and device sharing are common. Measuring adoption should look at reliability, latency, seasonal changes, and all the ways people connect.
Digital literacy
Digital literacy means using technology to find, judge, create, and share information. It requires thinking skills and technical skills. People with digital literacy skills can:
- Evaluate the quality and credibility of information.
- Create digital content in various formats.
- Communicate and work together with family, coworkers, and the public.
- Protect privacy and handle personal data.
- Participate in civic life to build informed, engaged communities.
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