Closing the Digital Divide in DC

The District of Columbia State Broadband and Digital Equity Office is working to secure federal broadband funds to ensure that every resident, every business in every corner of DC can live, work, and thrive in the digital age -- without bias or barriers. 

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OCTO is particularly interested in the thoughts and opinions of residents, community groups, incumbent broadband and digital service providers, and potential market entrants interested in providing broadband and digital services in DC. If you would like to share your thoughts with OCTO, please respond by
email to TechTogether@dc.gov before midnight on October 1, 2023. 

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Request for Public Comment (Click Icon Below)

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Why this matters

The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program provides $42.45 billion to all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories to fund planning, infrastructure, deployment, and adoption programs for expanding broadband connectivity throughout the next five years.

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The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to promote digital opportunity – ensuring all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity to fully participate in the modern world.

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To hear more about our work or give feedback on our broadband & digital equity plans, you can engage in the following ways:

1. Join a public community engagement session

2. Fill out our Broadband Access and Digital Equity Survey

3. Take our Community Anchor Institution Connectivity Survey

 

The District of Columbia State Broadband and Digital Equity Office is especially interested in hearing from unserved and underrepresented populations, including:

• Low-income individuals

• People with disabilities

• Older residents

• People with language barriers

• Incarcerated individuals

• Racial and ethnic minorities

• Veterans