#digital-equity

#digital-equity

"Public Wi-Fi is essential for providing accessibility and convenience in communities across New Mexico," OBAE State Grants Senior Program Manager Neala Krueger said in a press release about the grants. "It provides communications in emergencies, helps travelers and remote workers, and enables New Mexicans to access the internet in public locations. This Wi-Fi access will help close the state's digital divide." The New Mexico Wi-Fi grants include: Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell: $2,162,229 SWC Telesolutions, Inc.: $2,040,951 City of Las Cruces: $1,427,361 Dona Ana County: $515,912 Luna County: $328,767 City of Raton: $250,000

Owned and operated by AVX Networks, the project will extend high-capacity submarine fiber connectivity originating from Huntington Beach in Orange County, delivering reliable broadband access to approximately 3,700 to 4,400 year-round residents across roughly 1,200 housing units on Catalina Island, where a significant portion of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. The new infrastructure will enable expanded telework, telehealth, and educational access, helping residents overcome geographic isolation while supporting workforce mobility and long-term economic participation.

Between the lines: This isn't benevolence. It's customer acquisition. Mayors don't just buy "AI." They buy cloud, data modernization, cybersecurity, services, and long-term support - the tech stack underneath any serious deployment. In return, cities get tools that could fix long-standing challenges, Cris Turner, vice president of government affairs at Google told Axios last June when it first released its playbook.

Jerome Bettis' CyberBus is a state-of-the-art mobile classroom equipped with computers, Wi-Fi, and interactive technology designed to teach Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), computer science, digital literacy, and workforce readiness. The fully electric mobile lab, donated by Blue Bird Corporation, brings hands-on learning directly into neighborhoods - bridging the digital divide and inspiring the next generation of innovators,

Digital equity in education ensures every student has access to the same digital resources and opportunities. Inclusive smart classroom technology embodies this principle by accommodating diverse learning needs. These tools enable all students, regardless of ability or background, to benefit from technology. Smart boards, for instance, can serve as assistive classroom technology, allowing students with disabilities to engage more fully.

The public-private partnership, dubbed the Crenshaw Community Connectivity Pilot, comes after years of collaboration across government, industry and nonprofits working together. According to the partners, the Wi-Fi accessibility will benefit not only South Los Angeles residents and businesses but also supports people who visit the city for major events and celebrations. In partnership with Destination Crenshaw and Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL) installed 1.5 miles of underground fiber optic cable

Students who rely on long bus rides to complete assignments and library patrons who depend on hotspots for work, education, or telehealth will suddenly lose access to essential tools. This decision is a step backward.

To bridge the digital divide and provide all our students with the technology they need to succeed no matter their zip code or income this school year, we are providing 350,000 brand new Chromebooks to New York City public school students with LTE or 5G access. These free devices will be distributed to students at more than 1,700 schools to help bring them on a level playing field for academic success.

Hawaiian Telcom focuses on long-term scalability, community impact, and digital equity, prioritizing remote and underserved areas first for fiber internet deployment.