Internet Access: All the More Important in Pandemic
Posted on April 13, 2020 by Charlotte Shuff
Tags, Telecommunications
CUB hopes that all readers of this blog are safe, and our hearts go out to those struggling with the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We also recognize that far too many of our fellow Oregonians can’t read this blog because they don’t have access to affordable, high-quality, and high-speed internet service (broadband). Many others can’t afford a “digital” device like a computer or mobile phone to connect to the Internet.
Barriers to accessing or using broadband are nothing new. However, the painful impacts of the pandemic have shone a spotlight on the digital divide. With social distancing, our need for affordable and high-quality broadband is greater than ever. Schools across the state have switched to distance learning. Healthcare is relying more on remote telemedicine. When feasible, non-essential businesses have instructed their employees to work remotely to comply with Governor Brown’s stay home order. And many small retail businesses are attempting to pivot to online sales in order to stay afloat.
This increased demand for broadband and even basic internet access services exacerbates Oregon’s preexisting inadequacy regarding widespread connectivity. In January, the Oregon Statewide Broadband Assessment and Best Practices Study confirmed that over 400,000 Oregonians do not have any access to the Internet, while only 64 percent of Oregon’s urban households and 42 percent of rural households use broadband service. The report further identifies household income as a significant connectivity barrier for both urban and rural Oregonians.
To its credit, in March, the Federal Communications Commission launched the Keep Americans Connected Pledge, calling on internet service providers to “sustain existing residential/small business service, waive late fees, and make Wi-fi hotspots publicly available for use” until at least May 12. Most Oregon companies or the association that represents them have signed on to this pledge, but this is not a long-term solution. CUB and other allies are hard at work, collaborating with state and federal elected officials to make voice and broadband connectivity a major priority in all future economic relief legislation, both here in Oregon and in Washington D.C.
One potential silver lining: this pandemic could trigger a thorough and long overdue reworking of federal regulation of internet service providers. CUB’s initial priority, though, is securing a more immediate Oregon response.
CUB’s current focus is developing a legislative proposal to boost funding for low-income bill payment assistance through the existing Oregon Telephone Assistance Program (OTAP). For over 30 years, OTAP has effectively and efficiently provided critical bill payment assistance for voice, and more recently broadband, service to eligible low-income Oregon households.
At the same time, CUB recognizes that even when Oregonians have access to either broadband or basic internet service, their ability to also obtain affordably priced equipment to use that service is not guaranteed. The need for education on how to use digital devices can be on an additional barrier for many households. With the state’s unemployment rate continuing to rise from COVID-19, more families than ever face financial challenges that may linger long after the pandemic is over. The bottom line is that closing the digital divide will require significant, multi-faceted solutions. CUB will continue to advocate for innovative and comprehensive policy changes to facilitate these solutions.
Meanwhile, though, as this pandemic crisis continues to unfold, we are advocating to strengthen OTAP. Increasing the financial relief this program provides will help ensure that Oregon’s most vulnerable households can stay connected in this challenging time.
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04/13/20 | 3 Comments | Internet Access: All the More Important in Pandemic