Gillibrand, Colleagues Call On FCC To Include State & Local Data In Efforts To Expand Broadband, Close Digital Divide And Homework Gap

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined Senate Democrats to call on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to include state, local, and tribal data in efforts to expand nationwide broadband. Congress has demanded the FCC build new broadband data maps after decades of flawed data maps that denied broadband funding to eligible communities. State, local, and tribal governments often collect granular and comprehensive data that shows exactly who does, and who does not, have access to reliable high-speed broadband in their communities. Gillibrand and her colleagues urged the FCC to consult with state and local governments to ensure accurate nationwide broadband data collection so that federal resources are efficiently targeted and leveraged.

"State and local governments have been on the frontlines of expanding reliable high-speed broadband access in their communities and their input is critical to federal efforts," said Senator Gillibrand. "Local officials have granular, local data that is invaluable to helping the FCCC deliver resources to close gaps in broadband access. For years, the FCC has relied on inaccurate data that have excluded eligible communities in New York and across the country from federal funding. At a time when more New Yorkers than ever are relying on online services in their daily lives, I'm urging the FCC to work with state and local officials to close the pervasive digital divide in our communities."

As many services and businesses remain closed in response to public health guidelines, more workers and families are relying on online services to find jobs and access health care and other government services. However, about 40% of families in New York State do not have access to an internet connected device or do not have access to reliable high speed internet at home, according to the Education Trust of New York. The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the digital divide and "homework gap" for many students who need reliable internet access for education -- an estimated 12 million students currently lack reliable internet access at home.

Senator Gillibrand has repeatedly fought to deliver funding to New York State to ensure students and families have access to reliable internet at home. The American Rescue Plan delivered more than $7.1 billion nationally to close the homework gap by providing internet and connected devices to vulnerable students and educators. New York is estimated to receive around $632 million in funding to help students and educators. Additionally, Gillibrand has called on the new FCC leadership to immediately authorize available emergency funds for the E-Rate program as schools and students continue to rely on remote learning during the pandemic. The E-Rate program allows students to learn safely from home while guaranteeing online access to course materials. Last month, Gillibrand announced legislation to invest $6 billion for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program to help close the homework gap and ensure families across New York can access essential online services.

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