For folks close to the Twin Cities, here’s an event hosted by Literacy Minnesota…
This year’s event will be held at our Minneapolis based learning center. Attendees can learn about the digital literacy services Literacy Minnesota has to offer and check out a few vendors.
When: May 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: 627 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Organizations
- Literacy Minnesota
- Comcast
- Senior Community Services
C|Net posts an article on the impact of the loss of Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) money…
Former ACP enrollees have had to make a number of compromises to keep their internet on since it ended a year ago. A January survey from the National Lifeline Association found that nearly 40% of people enrolled in the program said they had to reduce spending on food to afford their new internet bill. 41% cut back on necessities like clothing, heat and doctor’s visits. Another 18% said their kids had difficulty completing homework assignments.
But the number that stuck out to me the most was the 64% who said they’re unable to maintain regular contact with family and loved ones. That was something I heard echoed by nearly every ACP user I spoke with for this piece: Life without an internet connection can be incredibly isolating.
Remind us of the history…
The ACP provided $30 a month to help low-income households pay for an internet connection, or $75 for people living on Tribal lands. The program accepted households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or $60,000 for a family of four. Prices to get online have only gone up since it ended, with 63% of customers reporting higher internet bills than the year before in a recent CNET survey.
Despite broad bipartisan support from voters — and from former senator, now Vice President J.D. Vance, who co-sponsored a bill in 2024 to extend the ACP — the program officially ran out of money one year ago. Starting in June 2024, ACP users were faced with a stark choice: find an extra $30 in their monthly budget or cut the cord on their internet connection entirely.
“It was just a sad moment,” Burrell said. “I was praying that they’d let us keep it. But it was over.”
And the impact of the loss…
Those projections are no longer theoretical. A recent Ookla report found that the broadband divide grew in 32 states in the second half of 2024, which lines up almost exactly with the ACP’s end. (Disclaimer: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, the same company that owns CNET.)
The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) and Comcast announced they have partnered to provide a WiFi connection to Xfinity’s next generation network in several of the Minneapolis Public Housing buildings in the city. This is Comcast’s second collaboration with a Minnesota-based housing agency to provide pre-installed, already on connectivity to the Xfinity network for their residents.
Residential units will be equipped to connect to Xfinity’s superior WiFi network. With Xfinity’s network readily available, residents will not need to schedule a technician to set up services, wait for their modem to arrive or go to the Xfinity store to collect their equipment. To activate service, residents will only need to call or use the Xfinity App. Current and new residents moving into WiFi ready units can connect to the Internet within five minutes of collecting their keys, making it much easier to get all their devices up and running.
News from SmartNorth’s The Future Is Feminine adult career pathway program.
SmartNorth is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding digital literacy and workforce development across northern Minnesota.
We’re hosting in-person registration events—please forgive the short notice—at our Tech Hubs:
- Tuesday, June 3 | 11 AM–2 PM
Deer River Tech Hub, 1049 Comstock Dr, Deer River, MN- Wednesday, June 4 | 11 AM–2 PM
Grand Rapids Tech Hub, 601 SW 7th St, Grand Rapids, MNThis no-cost opportunity offers women 18+ industry-recognized tech certifications, paid training, one-on-one mentorship, and support services (transportation, childcare, laptops, and more).
We would greatly appreciate your help spreading the word and encouraging potential participants to join this valuable program. Please feel free to forward this email or share the attached flyer.
Net Inclusion is an annual event and “an opportunity to gain digital equity insights, ignite change, and amplify your impact in the digital inclusion movement.” It’s not too late to register for it; it’s happening next week in Arizona.
For those of us who aren’t able to travel, they will be livestreaming the event via YouTube. Here’s a schedule:
Tuesday, May 20
| Time (MST) | Content | Highlights |
| 8:45-9:45 | Welcome Plenary | – Mikhail Sundust, Welcome – Kristopher Dosela, Blessing – Governor Stephen Roe Lewis/Ginger Sunbird Martin, Welcome & Land Acknowledgment – Basket Dancers – Nicholas Capozzi, Welcome |
| 9:45-10:00 | Lightning Round 1 | |
| 10:30-12:00 | Breakout Session 1 | – Funding Digital Equity Initiatives: A Panel of Local and National Private Funders |
| 1:15-1:45 | Lunch Plenary | – Kristi Zappie-Ferradino, Impact & Highlights of the National Digital Navigator Corps |
Wednesday, May 21
| Time (MST) | Content | Highlights |
| 8:45-9:50 | Morning Plenary | – Angela Siefer, State of Digital Inclusion – Lev Gonick, Keynote – Looking back, moving forward – Digital Equity Champions Awards – Digital Inclusion Trailblazers Recognition – Seven Star Communities Recognition |
| 9:50-10:10 | Lightning Round 2 | |
| 10:30-11:30 | Breakout Session 2 | – Uplifting Community Impact and Outcomes Through Equity-Driven Community Storytelling |
| 12:20-12:40 | Lunch Plenary | – Gigi Sohn, Keynote – DEA: Defend, Educate, Advocate |
| 1:00-2:00 | Breakout Session 3 | – AI Skills ARE Digital Skills |
| 2:10-2:50 | Special Plenary | – Amy Huffman and Joseph Wender, Fireside Chat – Policy Pulse: Digital Equity and Broadband Policy Updates |
| 3:00-4:00 | Breakout Session 4 | – Outputs vs. Impacts: Measuring Long-Term Success in Digital Equity |
| 4:10-5:00 | Special Session & Lighting Round 3 |
-Davida Delmar, Special Session Plenary – Digital Equity in Four Directions for Indian Country: Development, Reflection, Capacity, Kinship -Special Session Panel – Celebrating Connectivity: Indigenous Leadership in Bridging the Digital Divide |
Thursday, May 22
| Time (MST) | Content | Highlights |
| 9:00-9:30 | Morning Plenary | |
| 9:30-10:00 | Lightning Round 4 | |
| 10:30-11:30 | Breakout Session 5 | – Integrating Cybersecurity and Online Safety into Digital Literacy Inclusion |
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) this week announced the appointment of Benya Kraus as its next president and CEO, effective June 16. Kraus succeeds Tim Penny, who has served the foundation with distinction for nearly two decades.
A nationally recognized rural leader and social entrepreneur, Kraus brings a deep personal commitment to southern Minnesota and a career defined by advancing rural vitality across the country. As part of a sixth-generation family native to Waseca County, she embodies what it means to choose to live and work in rural Minnesota as a powerful, intentional commitment to community and opportunity.
“Benya represents not just the future of SMIF, but the future of rural philanthropy across Minnesota and beyond,” said Shawn Vogt Sween, SMIF board chair. “She brings an extraordinary combination of vision, humility, operational excellence, and a deep personal tie to our region. We could not be more excited for this next chapter.”
Benya most recently served as Network Advancement Director at Resource Rural, supporting a national portfolio of rural development organizations in securing nearly $300 million in federal and state grants over the last year. She previously co-founded and scaled Lead For America, a nationwide nonprofit investing in emerging rural leaders, and led strategic partnerships that secured over $60 million for broadband expansion, early childhood initiatives, and small-town revitalization projects. She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in finance and entrepreneurship.
Benya is well known to the Blandin Foundation, starting with her work as Executive Director for Lead for Minnesota. She is instrumental in raising the profile of the work of digital navigators and encouraging young people to become navigators and small towns to work them through the Lead for Minnesota program. She is smart and focused on doing what’s right for rural Minnesota.
I’m borrowing the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society’s summary of the New York Times report…
President Donald Trump said he would end the Digital Equity Act, legislation that funds three programs that provide billions to extend internet access in underserved communities. Trump is casting the Digital Equity Act as unfairly providing grants on the basis of race. “I have spoken with my wonderful Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, and we agree that the Biden/Harris so-called “Digital Equity Act” is totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL,” says the President. “No more woke handouts based on race!” Trump’s move is only the latest by his administration to target diversity, equity or inclusion measures, which his conservative supporters argue discriminate against white Americans. “The Digital Equity Program is a RACIST and ILLEGAL $2.5 BILLION DOLLAR giveaway. I am ending this IMMEDIATELY, and saving Taxpayers BILLIONS OF DOLLARS!,” he added.
The Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 proposes to reform the $9 billion Universal Service Fund, which supports broadband access in rural and Tribal areas. Sponsored by Senators Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., the bill enjoys bipartisan (Republican and Democrat) support from over five national trade associations, 48 state associations, and 350 American rural broadband providers.
The bill updates Section 254 of the Communications Act to include broadband and edge providers (e.g., Big Tech) as USF contributors. Within 18 months of passage, the Federal Communications Commission will conduct a rulemaking to establish equitable, nondiscriminatory contributions from these providers. The legislation limits the FCC’s authority to this specific reform, ensuring a focused approach.
Universal service refers to the principle or policy of making essential public services like telecommunications available to all people, regardless of their location, income level, or other barriers.
Why include Big Tech?
Big Tech firms garner some $200 billion annually in revenue from USF-funded regions without contributing to the $9 billion program. Strand Consult has documented this and other dynamics its report “Ending Big Tech’s Free Ride on USF”, part of a series on USF reform.
Each USF-connected household drives at least $1,500 yearly to Big Tech’s revenue. Firms in USF areas drive an additional $20,000 each in revenue to Big Tech. In a typical rural network, every $1 of Big Tech’s streaming subscription revenue correlates with $0.48 in unrecovered broadband network costs, with up to 80% of broadband network resources and 90% of broadband network costs tied to the top eight internet brands. Since becoming an online company, Netflix has doubled the price of its premium subscription without having to increase its broadband access cost. Meanwhile the price of broadband has fallen dramatically.
Moreover, 25% of broadband network traffic is advertising, which consumers pay for at the same rate as desired content, even though they do not request it. A similar dynamic is underway with IoT devices and machines which also generate traffic and consume resources; electric vehicles generate some 5 GB per day of sensor data when they plug in to home broadband networks.
Last year the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society did some research and found that veterans are not online at same rate as peers. Benton followed up to find ways that individual states (including MN highlighted below) have been able boost the digital divide for veterans.
The Digital Equity Act Helps States Close the Digital Divide
For Veterans Day 2024, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society and the Department of Veterans Affairs analyzed 50 digital equity plans to understand how states planned to help bring online the people who have served in the armed services.
We laid out five key strategies adopted by states that have thoughtfully addressed Veterans in their digital equity plans:
- Link needs assessments to implementation strategies.
Most state digital equity plans followed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) model guidance to include both a needs assessment and implementation strategy for all covered populations. We found that the best plans tied these efforts together in an intentional manner.
Approximately 83 percent of individuals in the US fall into at least one covered population. Many individuals are a part of more than one covered population. Unfortunately, populations with considerable overlap were sometimes treated as one in the planning process. We found that the states that were intentional about examining each covered population as unique groups ended up with more coherent implementation strategies. Minnesota carefully separates Veterans from other covered populations, treating “Veterans as Veterans rather than Veterans as a subset of older adults.” New York’s plan connects each of its implementation strategies for serving Veterans to a specific need.
- Leverage other state and federal agencies.
State digital equity plans recognize the importance of coordinating with other federal and state agencies. Coordination is especially important when planning to serve and providing services to Veterans, as there are agencies like the Veterans Affairs and state departments of Veterans Services already providing services to Veterans.
- Identify specific standout partners.
There is a vast network of over 7,000 veteran service organizations throughout the country. The Benton Institute’s recent Human Infrastructure of Broadband project analyzed a database of over 250 organizations that provide direct service to access broadband and digital skills resources. Of these, 92 serve Veterans.
Exemplary state digital equity plans were thorough in identifying the trusted Veterans service organizations that operate in the states. These organizations will be vital partners for implementing state digital equity strategies. These partners can be government organizations, national non-profits (like the Wounded Warrior Project), regional non-profits (like the Alaska Warrior Partnership), or even local branches of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
- Design a workforce strategy for Veterans.
Many state plans found that Veterans may be an untapped resource to close workforce gaps in industries such as semi-conductor manufacturing and cybersecurity. Veterans, especially younger Veterans, are likely to have received on-the-job training that directly or indirectly prepares them for these fields.
However, identifying Veterans as an asset to closing workforce gaps is not enough. To maximize impact, states created implementation strategies that direct Veterans to the industries in which they are likely to succeed based on their experience. In addition to more advanced workforce training programs, foundational digital skills training should be available to all Veterans who need it.
- Prioritize access to health care.
The Veteran population has complex medical needs compared to non-veterans. Most states acknowledged that Veterans, especially rural Veterans, are positioned to benefit from telehealth access. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a range of telehealth services to its patients.
The VA promotes telehealth use through its Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) program, which places telehealth access points in community locations such as VFW and American Legion posts. However, broadband infrastructure, broadband affordability, and digital skills gaps prevent many Veterans from accessing these services.
The question for 2025, is if the current Administration has created barriers…
These strategies will help eradicate the digital divide for Veterans across the country—if the Trump NTIA allows states to implement them.
At the start of 2025, the NTIA recommended awards totaling hundreds of millions of dollars to support organizations that serve all eight covered populations, including Veterans.
Unfortunately, some policymakers have raised opposition to bill that would support efforts to connect veterans.
A coalition of 11 attorneys general is urging a federal appeals court to uphold a Federal Communications Commission order that drastically reduced the cost of phone and video calls for incarcerated individuals and their families.
In an amicus brief filed Monday with the First Circuit Court of Appeals, the AGs said the FCC acted squarely within its authority when it issued its July 2024 order capping calling rates in prisons and jails.
The FCC was expressly authorized to regulate these communications services when Congress enacted the Martha Wright-Reed Act in 2022, the brief said.
Under the FCC’s rate caps, the cost of a 15-minute phone call dropped from as much as $11.35 to $0.90 in large jails and from $12.10 to $1.35 in small jails. The rules went into effect for large prisons and jails on Jan. 1, 2025 and for small jails on April 1.
The rules were adopted under former FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel with the partial support of now Chairman Brendan Carr and the full support of Republican Commissioner Nathan Simington.
In a release, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, D, said staying connected to loved ones and a support system while in prison was one of the best ways to reduce recidivism and support successful rehabilitation later on.
Bonta was joined by the AGs of nine other states and the District of Columbia. The states are New York, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
Five of the states – California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Colorado – have already implemented policies to provide free phone calls for incarcerated individuals in state-run correctional facilities. However, those rates may not apply to local adult jails and federal prisons within the states.
Higher prices have come for your internet bill — at least it feels that way for many. That’s according to a new CNET survey that found 63% of US adults paying for home internet saw their prices increase last year. On average, they paid $195 more last year than they did the year before.
Price hikes didn’t necessarily translate to better service, either. More than half of people who saw their bills increase said they still experienced unreliable connectivity.
They talk about the role of the end of the ACP, but they don’t talk about percentage-wise and dollar-wise how the loss impacts the overall results…
CNET’s survey also sheds light on the impact of the Affordable Connectivity Program’s end, a $30 monthly subsidy that helped low-income households pay for internet that shut down in mid-2024. 12% of respondents said they’ve seen their bills increase in the past year after the benefit went away.
“The demise of ACP was detrimental to so many and I think that this is reflected in these numbers,” said Christopher Ali, professor of telecommunications at Penn State University.
By the time the Federal Communications Commission ended ACP enrollments in February 2024, 23 million Americans had enrolled. The program accepted households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or $60,000 in annual income for a family of four last year.
A major concern here is the decrease in broadband adoption. For as long as I’ve written about broadband, cost has been the great barrier.
This is an invitation from the survey developers. The survey closes April 18, 2025. It would be nice to get big response from Minnesota so that we can learn more about digital barriers and fixes in Minnesota…
Public Knowledge, UnidosUS, and NDIA have been working on The Blueprint for Equitable Digital Participation—a national initiative focused on elevating the voices and experiences of low- and middle-income households navigating the digital divide.
Through a series of focus groups and roundtables, we’ve gathered valuable insights from community members and advocates. Now, as we move into the final phase of the project, we’ve launched a digital survey to broaden our reach and ensure even more perspectives are reflected in this effort.
We’d greatly appreciate your help in sharing the survey with your communities, particularly any participants in your digital inclusion programs.
- The survey takes approximately 14 minutes to complete
- Responses will be kept anonymous; however, if participants want to enter for a chance to win one of three $50 Visa gift cards, we ask that they provide their name and email addresses so we can contact them on how best to get a gift card to them.
Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LS88XVT
The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society reports…
The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society joined Access Humboldt, Common Sense Media, Everyone On, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, National Digital Inclusion Alliance, New America’s Open Technology Institute, and Public Knowledge (all members of the Lifeline Coalition*) in a filing in the Federal Communications Commission’s RE: DELETE, DELETE, DELETE proceeding.
They offer four proposals…
Industry leaders from AT&T, Lumen, Ziply Fiber and Brightspeed said Thursday that federal and state policies requiring providers to maintain copper telephone networks are diverting capital away from next-generation broadband networks.
Lumen Senior Vice President of Public Policy Melissa Mann said the company has been actively advocating for state-level reforms to laws that mandate the upkeep of copper networks. She pointed to a recent win in Utah, where lawmakers passed legislation relieving providers of certain carrier of last resort (COLR) obligations.
“We’re having positive conversations in other states as well,” Mann said, noting that at least 21 states have taken steps to modernize regulations around COLR and copper network maintenance. States like Illinois, Colorado, and Minnesota were also advancing what she described as “common-sense reforms.”
Minnesota does have a bill in the Legislature now on the issue: HF1971: relieving telecom carriers of the obligation to serve certain areas; requiring the Office of Broadband Dev to resolve disputes.
NDIA (National Digital Inclusion Alliance reports…
Since 2020, the digital navigator model has spread like wildfire. Programs with trusted guides who assist community members with ongoing, individualized support for accessing affordable and appropriate connectivity, devices, and digital skills are now in hundreds of communities across the U.S.
Thirty-nine states and territories included digital navigator programs in their state/territory digital equity/opportunity plans, many of whom included libraries as key community partners.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is one of the reasons this model was developed and went to scale so quickly. Just yesterday, staff at the Institute for Museum and Library Services were placed on leave, meaning there are no staff to manage current grants.
Digital Navigation was one of the priorities mentioned by the MN Broadband Task Force in their latest report…
Support Digital Literacy: Standardize digital literacy definitions across agencies and fund Digital Navigators for anchor institutions to teach digital skills and connect residents to resources. Create a searchable digital literacy resource directory available in multiple languages and accessible formats. Provide greater opportunities for partner organizations to build capacity, and work to strengthen existing relationships.
The NDIA talks about the loss of IMLS federal funding and the potential impact on rural libraries and communities…
Most public libraries are primarily funded by city and county taxes. Small and rural libraries with limited local funding will feel the loss of their IMLS grants the hardest. Losing millions of dollars in grant funds from IMLS will drastically impact the ability of these anchor institutions to deliver critically needed services for their community members–from getting people online to teaching them the skills they need to support workforce development, education, and telehealth.
C|Net reports