Digital Opportunity Planning -
Closing the Digital Divide through collaboration
Broadband access and knowledge of its potential can greatly effect Quality of Life (QoL).
We work alongside localities to engage their departments and community support organizations to strategically implement access, affordability, adoption, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) projects.
“Society always needs a level playing field. In order to do that, you
have to have opportunity, and providing that opportunity begins with
‘how do we bridge that gap,’ that so-called Digital Divide?”
– Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Six-time Olympic Medalist and Digital Equity Advocate
The Digital Divide Goes Beyond Just Physical Access…
This divide disproportionately affects rural areas, low-income households, and marginalized communities, limiting their ability to access education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and essential public services. In today’s digitally driven world, the lack of reliable internet connectivity results in significant social and economic disadvantages, perpetuating inequality and reducing opportunities for upward mobility.
Addressing the Issue: Digital Equity
Digital equity is the concept of ensuring that all individuals and communities, regardless of socioeconomic status, location, or other barriers, have equal access to the technology and connectivity necessary to fully participate in society. This involves not only providing high-speed internet access but also fostering digital literacy, affordability of services, and the availability of devices. Achieving digital equity is crucial for promoting economic development, enhancing educational outcomes, and ensuring inclusive access to healthcare and civic participation.
NTIA’s BEAD Program: A Path to Solutions
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has introduced the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program as a part of the larger federal initiative to combat the digital divide. The BEAD program provides substantial funding to help states, territories, and localities improve broadband infrastructure and connectivity. A key component of this initiative is the non-deployment funding, which supports areas where the market has failed to deliver affordable and reliable broadband service, especially in rural and underserved regions.
The core tenets of digital equity – expanding peoples ability to acquire suitable access, educating them on the benefits of broadband access (as well as how to be smart and safe in its usage), and allowing the deployment of infrastructure to address problems that disproportionately effect vulnerable populations.

“Covered Populations” as described by the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NITA), are the groups at the heart of digital equity BEAD funding. NTIA BEAD non-deployment funds for digital equity will be used for localities to develop their own plan on how to address the struggles that these groups experience internet access, identify projects that can be implemented to assist, and provide funding for both steps of this process.
More information can be found here:

Let BTS Guide Your Planning Process
Broadband Telecom Services is partnering with localities to develop these Digital Equity plans, under the guidance of the NTIA and helping communities become shovel-ready for implementation of projects.
Our bespoke planning process is centered around the following activities:
Asset Inventory
The asset inventory process involves identifying and cataloging key community resources, including educational institutions, community serving organizations, workforce development programs, and technological assets like public computers and internet speeds, to assess gaps and opportunities for improving digital equity and connectivity.
Needs Assessment
The needs assessment process evaluates a community’s digital access and technology requirements by gathering data through surveys, stakeholder engagement, and GIS mapping. It identifies existing initiatives, infrastructure gaps, and the necessary steps to enhance digital inclusion, building off of the results of the asset inventory.
Project Identification
This process involves analyzing the needs assessment to pinpoint specific initiatives that address digital gaps. This includes selecting device and digital literacy programs, as well as partnerships aimed at enhancing broadband access and fostering equitable digital opportunities for all. This plan will enable projects listed to be eligible for NTIA’s Digital Capacity funding.
Measuring Impact
Measuring impact involves tracking the outcomes of digital equity initiatives through key performance indicators, community feedback, and data analysis. It evaluates progress in improving broadband access, digital literacy, and economic opportunities, ensuring projects meet goals and benefit underserved populations. The plan will be officially adopted by the locality and updated annually.