NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—A report on Connecticut's digital divide shows 23% of the state's households do not subscribe to broadband service with low-income residents, older adults and communities of color being impacted the most.
The study, commissioned by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) and Dalio Education, finds that the gaps are found mostly in major urban areas.
According to John Horrigan of the Technology Policy Institute who researched and wrote the study, 38% of households in Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, New Britain and Bridgeport do not subscribe to broadband service.
Among the communities most impacted, the study reports 36% of older adults do not have broadband service and 36% of low-income households lack home broadband subscriptions.
Within communities of color, the study finds that 35% of Hispanics and 34% of African Americans do not subscribe to broadband service.
As for homes with students, the study reports the "homework gap," referring to households lacking connectivity for students to complete school work, afflicts 14% of households with students.
The study also reports 29% of low-income homes with students don't have broadband service. The same goes for about one-quarter of Hispanic and African-American households, according to the report.
CCM and Dalio Education also commissioned a statewide, public opinion survey. Global Strategy Group conducted the survey from September 14-18, 2020.
Among 602 likely 2020 voters, 90% responded "concerning" to "14% of Connecticut households with children under the age of 18 lack internet access, and 12% do not have a computer to access the internet, making it extremely difficult for many students to keep up with their schoolwork during the pandemic." 56% responded "very concerning" to the same prompt.
86% of survey participants indicated the issue of Black and Hispanic students being far more likely to lack internet access or a device to access the internet at home as a "concerning" one. 53% called it a "very concerning" issue.
As for low-income households being far more likely to lack internet access or a device, 86% of participants responded "concerning" and 51% responded "very concerning."
In the study with the Technology Policy Institute, Horrigan outlines a number of suggestions for addressing what CCM and Dalio Education officials call "a statewide crisis."
Part of the solution is focusing on not just closing the digital divide but also promoting digital inclusion, Horrigan said.
Digital inclusion covers three main components: wide availability of discount internet service offerings, low cost devices and digital skills training and tech support.
These key parts of digital inclusion address some of the major problems that contribute to the digital gap, including affordability which Horrigan calls the number one barrier to digital access.
Horrigan also recommends for leaders on a local, state and national level to focus on planning, partnership and appropriations.
With plans on addressing the digital divide, partnerships with the private sector and funding, the national issue can be eliminated.
Founder and Director of Dalio Education Barbara Dalio recognizes the work the state has done with her organization to help close the gap such as purchasing 60,000 laptops for students when schools closed at the start of the pandemic.
"But this crisis is beyond what any one philanthropic organization can address," she said.
"Let's see what happens a week from today on Election Day," CCM's Executive Director Joe DeLong said, "I'm hopeful that once the campaign season is over, Democrats and Republicans can come together in Congress to pass the kind of massive stimulus package that focuses on infrastructure – including, obviously, our digital infrastructure."
"This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to eliminate the digital divide in Connecticut and beyond," DeLong said.
The full report can be found here.
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