Governor Tony Evers has declared 2021 “the year of broadband access,” joining lawmakers across the country making plans to increase spending for high-speed internet access. This week on New Domains, we look at the state of broadband in Wisconsin, why high-speed internet is critically needed, and what to expect in the debate for how the […]
Internet Access and the Digital Divide
As with many other social and economic problems, the pandemic has only deepened the digital divide. “Unlike in other wealthy nations, the federal government has imposed no cost controls to make broadband more affordable,” writes Will Carless in a recent article for Reveal. “The result: massive inequality in one of the modern world’s most basic […]
Pandemic highlights internet accessibility issues for students
Since March, Wisconsin’s public schools have moved their educational programs online. The transition from in-person to digital learning has highlighted the difficulties some students face in finding a stable broadband internet connection. Earlier today, WORT Producer Jonah Chester spoke with Ari Brown and Betsy Mueller, researchers with the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Brown and Mueller recently […]
Explaining the City of Madison’s Broadband Initiatives
The city of Madison is currently working on a pair of ambitious projects to offer high-speed internet access to its residents. One is a pilot project that would establish fiber connections in four low-income neighborhoods, while the other is a study that investigates the potential for a municipal broadband system.
