Digital Skill Building & Broadband Adoption

 The digital divide has both deployment and nondeployment components. Nondeployment components are broadband adoption and digital skill building, these two components are truly the “last mile” in broadband deployment. 

Digital skills or digital literacy broadly refer to the individual’s ability to interact with and wield today’s current technology effectively. Digital skills determine whether residents and businesses can fully participate in today’s economy, access services, and benefit from public investments in infrastructure and digital skilling programs. 

This work builds “last-mile” human capacity by teaching residents how to use devices, applications, and online services for work, learning, health and civic life, it focuses on safe and informed use, privacy, security, avoiding scams and evaluating information so broadband and devices become tools for opportunity rather than sources of risk. 92% of all jobs require some digital skills and if you have digital skills your average income increases by 23% providing a great economic opportunity. 

Digital skills are a barrier to broadband adoption and locally we would like to see an effective use of public investments. If we want local tax levy’s that were used for this infrastructure, and BEAD funding to succeed, we need to ensure people are adopting and connecting to the networks that are being built. This work provides trusted local support from libraries, schools, nonprofits, local government and digital navigators to help people overcome fear, low confidence, and lack of experience with technology. These trusted sources turn infrastructure into real outcomes by pairing technical build-out with user education and support.  

Current work and discussions about broadband adoption and digital skill building are to grow and strengthen the digital skills ecosystem throughout Door County. 

• • Access-promotes the availability of reliable, broadband technology through stakeholder outreach and engagement. Advances the online accessibility of public resources and services. 

• • Affordability – promotes awareness of existing programs that help low-income households afford broadband service. Offers Internet equipment and software at low or no cost. 

• • Adoption and skill building- Narrows adoption disparities across covered populations by engaging with diverse stakeholders. Implements programs that include digital skills and literacy training, technical support and workforce development.