Broadband connectivity is critical for our economy, education, and human connections. This fact has become increasingly evident as the COVID-19 pandemic has moved many everyday activities online. And while U.S. networks have performed remarkably well during the crisis, many households still lack sufficient broadband and are at risk of being left behind.
IIA recently highlighted how far we’ve come and what work still needs to be done to shrink the digital divide with a series of informative tweets and graphics:
In the last four years, the reasons for lack of #broadband adoption in the US have changed. Despite making progress toward lowering the number of households that can’t afford broadband, there’s still work that needs to be done. #UniversalBroadbandWeek #DigitalDivide @pewinternet pic.twitter.com/KcnRvWEEcs
— Internet Innovation (@IIABroadband) August 3, 2020
During a crisis that has so many working and learning from home, equal access to fast #broadband is more important than ever. #UniversalBroadbandWeek #COVID19 #FCC @JRosenworcel pic.twitter.com/n4Vxv63His
— Internet Innovation (@IIABroadband) August 4, 2020
Even in states with the smallest digital divides, 1 in 4 students still lack adequate internet. For states with the largest divides, HALF of the students lack adequate internet. @CommonSense #UniversalBroadbandWeek #DigitalDivide #HomeworkGap pic.twitter.com/y02AbsutbI
— Internet Innovation (@IIABroadband) August 5, 2020
In 1991, the first commercial traffic crossed the internet.
In 1993, novelist William Gibson said, “The future is here; it’s just not very evenly distributed.”
In 2020, it's still true. #DigitalDivide#UniversalBroadbandWeek pic.twitter.com/DctZsAYwr6— Internet Innovation (@IIABroadband) August 6, 2020
Bridging America’s #DigitalDivide is crucial. #UniversalBroadbandWeek #FlashbackFriday @larry_irving pic.twitter.com/JqswQHPAgN
— Internet Innovation (@IIABroadband) August 7, 2020