Bill Overview
Title: Digital Equity Foundation Act of 2022
Description: This bill sets out a process for establishing the Foundation for Digital Equity to raise funding for, develop programs and partnerships to, and otherwise support efforts to expand access to broadband internet and promote digital literacy, inclusion, and equity. The bill authorizes the foundation to carry out a range of activities to advance its mission, such as (1) establishing for-profit subsidiaries to stimulate economic development and attract investment partners, and (2) awarding grants.
Sponsors: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals lacking adequate broadband internet access or digital literacy skills
Estimated Size: 75000000
- The bill aims to expand access to broadband internet, which is a global issue as many communities in both developed and developing countries lack proper internet infrastructure.
- Digital literacy and inclusion are relevant to populations worldwide as technology becomes an integral part of education, work, and daily life.
- The foundation's activities, such as creating for-profit subsidiaries, could have a global economic impact by attracting international investment partners.
- The goal of promoting digital equity indicates a broad target population, including underserved and marginalized communities around the world.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to increase broadband access and promote digital literacy among Americans, targeting underserved and less connected communities.
- Given the budget limits, we must prioritize areas with the greatest lack of access or digital literacy skills, such as rural areas and low-income urban neighborhoods.
- Considering the variety of affected populations, we need a mix of interviews to reflect people directly benefiting, indirectly impacted, and not impacted at all.
- Including voices from different demographics (age, occupation, location) will highlight the potential disparities in impact.
- Not every American is affected; some have already adequate access and skills, thus experiencing no changes in their well-being due to this policy.
Simulated Interviews
Part-time cashier (Rural Alabama)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could really help my kids with their schoolwork at home.
- I've had trouble accessing online resources and services due to lack of reliable internet.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Software engineer (Suburban California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see how this will change anything for me personally, as I already have great internet access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired (Rural Montana)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this act will finally bring reliable internet to our area.
- Learning to use the internet better would be very helpful for staying in touch with family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
College student (Urban New York)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I have access, anything that makes it cheaper or more reliable is a plus.
- Student resources could really benefit if broadband for all becomes a reality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Small business owner (Urban Chicago)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increasing internet access can only help broaden my customer base.
- I'm not directly affected but it's good for overall economic growth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
High school student (Rural West Virginia)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better internet would open up so many opportunities for learning and applying to colleges.
- I hope my town finally gets connected.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Tech support (Suburban Texas)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see potential for job growth if broadband access increases.
- I'm hopeful that this might lead to more tech jobs in underserved areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Teacher (Urban Florida)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act would greatly help my students and their learning.
- Having students with internet at home means fewer barriers to education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Nurse (Suburban Arizona)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We already have internet but making it more robust helps with my kids' schoolwork and my own studies.
- I'm curious if this will affect costs or access speed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Fisherman (Remote Alaska)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the internet finally comes to our village, it can help with selling online and accessing information.
- We feel left out of many connectivity benefits others have.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 2: $1600000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1900000000)
Year 3: $1700000000 (Low: $1400000000, High: $2000000000)
Year 5: $1800000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2100000000)
Year 10: $2000000000 (Low: $1700000000, High: $2300000000)
Year 100: $2100000000 (Low: $1800000000, High: $2400000000)
Key Considerations
- Scale and scope of the foundation's activities could lead to unpredictable costs, especially in establishing international for-profit subsidiaries.
- Investment in broadband infrastructure and digital literacy can create multiplier effects across various sectors.
- Collaboration with private enterprises through the foundation's subsidiaries may incur regulatory and operational challenges.