Building Partnerships for Digital Inclusion
On July 14, 2020, The Forge Institute hosted a Virtual Salon on Building Partnerships for Digital Inclusion under our Inclusive Economic Development theme. The Salon focused on recent efforts to deal with digital inequality, identification of barriers and opportunities, and the path forward.
Moderator: Sandra McKenzie, The Forge Institute
Guest Speaker: Matt Spurway, Public Good Society of Dartmouth
Key Takeaways
Through 2019, digital access efforts focused on two areas: getting all Nova Scotia households and businesses online by addressing gaps in physical infrastructure (‘Internet for Nova Scotia’ initiative); and addressing gaps in device access/connectivity through initiatives ranging from computers in schools, to public access Wi-Fi and computers.
COVID-19 brought to light the fact that despite these efforts, digital access remains a significant barrier for many Nova Scotian households. Issues such as affordability of service, no access to service due to outstanding bills, availability of appropriate device(s), availability of necessary equipment add-ons (mics, cameras, etc.), and technical skills also serve as barriers.
Led by the needs of the education and health sectors, numerous community-based solutions were quickly developed and deployed, bringing digital access to Nova Scotians in need. None of these solutions have identified a large-scale sustainable go-forward business model.
Increased job loss means the ‘digital divide’ - described as those who have access (internet service, appropriate device, skill) and those who do not - is growing.
The ‘one-time’ investment needs are daunting, but they are the easiest to solve – physical infrastructure, devices, skills training, etc. The hardest to solve is getting affordable home internet access to low-income households (including people with past billing issues) and the affordability of the recurring monthly costs.
Service providers do not want to be in the business of deciding who qualifies for ‘low income programs’ – they see this as a role for the government or the community sector.
There is a lack of data to inform digital access policy making for vulnerable communities.
Digital inclusion is a horizontal policy challenge which lends itself well to a collective impact approach.
Alternate structures and business models are needed to address these issues. While work is being done to develop and deploy long term solutions, there is an immediate and an ongoing need for temporary solutions.
Discussion Highlights
Framing the Elements of Digital Inclusion
Read the Conversation Starter here View Matt Spurway’s ‘Geo Project’ deck here
There was agreement that digital equity is made up of three interconnecting goals:
Implementation Lessons
Temporary Connectivity Solutions taught us the following lessons
Solutions need to be sustainable over the long term, which means closing the Digital Divide is a systems challenge and not just a one-off effort.
The biggest issue faced when trying to connect families/individuals that did not have access, was the monthly cost, and in some cases, the existence of outstanding bills
People have resorted to “loitering” to access public internet services. This is an area of opportunity to provide larger and more accessible hotspots.
Some individuals/communities are struggling with the shift to on-line learning and services, particularly diverse populations, and the elderly. Help lines will be required.
Participants agreed that the idea of lending equipment is appropriate in some instances, but in many cases, giving equipment to recipients is better aligned with long term needs.
Teachers, students, and health care providers are still adjusting to online service delivery.
Mental Health Services offered through Schools Plus and other providers faced connectivity challenges and in some cases were competing for equipment. A number of possible solutions were discussed, such as Foundations providing support and a lending program, but this area needs more discussion for scalable solutions.
Key Question: As we debrief and learn from our COVID-19 response, whose voices aren’t being heard because they don’t have technology?
Efforts to connect families and individuals to the internet at home during COVID-19 ran into challenges when there were outstanding bills that needed to be cleared before service was provided.
Sustainability issues for low income families and individuals that did not have access include covering ongoing monthly payments, finding affordable devices and having ongoing support to access current software.
Key Challenges
Geographic Access
See access map here
It is important to understand the elements of internet pricing. A ‘facilities based’ company builds the network and has to recover capital costs. A reseller will provide service on infrastructure that someone else built and therefore only has to cover operating costs, and as a result can charge less. Population density can also play a role in pricing.
Affordability/Sustainability
Digital inequality is a matter of income. Recent CRTC statistics show that the bottom quintile of the population spends up to 10% of their income on telecommunications, while the top quintile spends about 1.8% for double the service. For some individuals and families, the cost puts access out of reach completely.
Efforts to connect families and individuals to the internet at home during COVID-19 ran into challenges when there were outstanding bills that needed to be cleared before service was provided.
Sustainability issues for low income families and individuals that did not have access include covering ongoing monthly payments, finding affordable devices and having ongoing support to access current software.
Collective Impact
Horizontal Policy Challenge
COVID-19 highlighted three exposures for vulnerable people:
Food insecurity
Transportation Insecurity
Access to technology
An effective response to these vulnerabilities does not sit with any one department of government
Participants agreed that Digital Inclusion is a horizontal policy challenge which lends itself well to a collective impact approach. Partners include governments (federal, provincial, and municipal), NGO’s, community organizations, internet providers and the business community. It was noted that it will be good to have a policy lead for the government.
Data
Scoping the Challenge
We know with some certainty who has physical access to connectivity in Nova Scotia
The bigger challenge is developing an understanding of the affordability challenges. How many want services and can’t afford it at all? How many are spending a disproportionate share of their income on telecommunications? (and how will this threshold be defined?)
Data sharing between government departments/agencies is important as many citizens/households access service across departments and should not be counted as discrete users.
Participants agreed that the number of people who became unemployed during COVID-19 has shifted the numbers of people living in poverty in Nova Scotia. This will impact, and possibly grow, the numbers of people who can no longer afford internet services.
Brainstorm
Quick Fixes Participants generated a number of Quick Fix ideas
Create a number of GEO projects to get people hooked up quickly (see presentation)
Explore a Not-for-Profit/Social Enterprise Model to support low cost internet delivery
Explore the possibility of “digital clemency” with service providers to address the out-standing balance hurdle
Explore the Paqtnkek First Nation Free Wifi model and see how to become an internet re-seller as a possible model to serve low income individuals/families
Create giant hotspots for low income communities and or apartment buildings
Explore the inclusion of internet services in student fees at post-secondary and as part of the offering in public education
Engage local adult education providers and community groups to provide digital literacy/training.
