How 2 Cities Are Making Big Strides to Close the Digital Divide

During the October 17, 2014 Digital Inclusion Summit (see Jason Harper's report) in Kansas City noted Digital Inclusion Strategist Angela Siefer identified herself as a “huge, huge advocate of city involvement in digital inclusion” projects towards improving affordable Internet access in low-income neighborhoods.

This position represents a challenge to Kansas City to build bridges that close a digital divide in our community. Kansas City would do well to look at the example of Philadelphia and Minneapolis to launch big impact efforts, as Ms. Siefer pointed out in her presentation. And through the efforts of an emerging digital inclusion coalition that includes the KC Public Library, KC Digital Drive and Connecting for Good, a roadmap has been defined to bring city and other resources to this effort.

Through a city-run project called "Keyspots" Philadelphia placed 80 free wireless hotspots in operation. Through their efforts they are offering 847 workstations across Philadelphia, which provided 208,780 hours of training to 22,544 participants, including 430,362 visits to the Keyspot locations for free computer access. Plus they distributed 5,000 netbooks to Philadelphia Housing Authority residents completing an 8-hour, sweat equity training. The results of this effort? Organizers claim to have saved or created 113 jobs in the Philadelphia region.



Siefer mentioned the community-based Technology Literacy Collaborative employs two Americorps workers to track nearly 200 computer technology centers (CTCs) throughout the metropolitan area. These centers offer "free Internet access, computers, software, and perhaps assistance and instruction." In addition to the CTCs, the city of Minneapolis has "an outdoor wireless network that covers nearly 100%" of the city.

During a November 2014 trip to Minneapolis I noticed the "City of Minneapolis Public WiFi" networks while driving in South Minneapolis. The ubiquitous coverage provides a no-cost option for people throughout the city, especially low-income workers and families. My sister chose a higher speed broadband Comcast network for her home, but was familiar with the free wireless. The city indicates that a "credit card number is required to log in for security purposes but there is no charge." Most people would not submit a credit card, in fact, I was not challenged to provide mine when I connected to the wireless network.

While a city-wide initiative like Minneapolis' free wifi network or a comprehensive effort like Philadelphia's Keyspots may not be on the horizon for Kansas City, at least KC is developing a vision. This vision also includes launching pilot projects, perhaps in the Urban Neighborhood Initiative east of Troost Avenue and the Northeast neighborhood tracts north of 23rd Street.

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