Abell report: City government could play greater role in expanding internet access

With the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the city’s persistent problems with internet access, Baltimore City government could play a greater role in expanding technology to low-income homes and training residents how to use it, according to a new Abell Foundation report.

John B. Horrigan, former director of the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Plan, lauded a recent move by Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young and the Baltimore City Council to take $3 million from the Children and Youth Fund and spend it on laptops and increased internet access.

But he wrote Baltimore should follow the lead of other cities and make closing the connectivity gap more of a priority across all government agencies, and the city could work with more businesses and anchor institutions to get residents computers and broadband internet, and train them on new technology.

“This means having the city’s elected officials place greater priority on digital equity and investing in staff capacity and expertise in how broadband can help increase educational and economic opportunity,” Horrigan wrote.

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Source: Baltimore Fishbowl