Digital Inclusion

Despite the growing importance of the Internet in American life, nearly one-third of Americans are not online. While there is no single solution to closing the this digital divide, increasing computer and Internet skills - known as digital literacy - is key to bringing more Americans online and opening doors to opportunity. In partnership with nine federal agencies, NTIA created DigitalLiteracy.gov to provide librarians, teachers, workforce trainers, and others a central location to share digital literacy content and best practices. Anyone can use the website to identify the skills needed for various jobs, locate suitable training, and search for employment. The website also provides a central location where grantees from NTIA's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program can upload and share digital literacy training materials with other practitioners and the general public, leveraging the value of these projects.

Digital Literacy fact sheet

2023 Internet Use Survey Information Collection

June 02, 2023

NTIA seeks approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) to add 65 questions to the November 2023 edition of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (CPS). This collection of questions is known as the NTIA Internet Use Survey and is also referred to as the CPS Computer and Internet Use Supplement. NTIA has sponsored sixteen such surveys since 1994. President Biden has made clear the Administration’s goal to ensure that ‘‘every community in America has access to affordable, high-speed Internet.’’ Digitally connected Americans populate the modern workforce, drive creative innovation throughout the economy, and ensure a growing customer base to help sustain our nation’s global competitiveness; data from the NTIA Internet Use Survey will inform policies aimed at achieving digital equity so that the internet’s benefits are accessible to all Americans. The research and policy analysis enabled by this data collection are particularly important in light of the historic investments being made through the Biden-Harris Administration’s internet for All programs, and following a pandemic that has further highlighted the importance of the internet in daily life.

Topics

Data Central

High-Speed Internet

Digital Inclusion

Notice of Digital New England Community Broadband Summit

July 22, 2015

SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), through the BroadbandUSA program, in conjunction with Next Century Cities will hold a one-day regional broadband summit, ‘‘Digital New England,’’ to share information to help communities build their broadband capacity and utilization.

Topics

Digital Inclusion

Adoption Resources

High-Speed Internet

Working to Close the Digital Divide in Silicon Valley

February 25, 2014

Silicon Valley has long been a hub of technological innovation and promise in our country. It’s the birthplace of iconic technology companies such as Intel, Apple, Cisco, and Google. And regions across the country – and even around the world – attempt to emulate its success.

This week, I joined Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and other Commerce Department leaders in travelling to Silicon Valley to promote the Department’s initiatives to spur U.S. economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness.

We’re meeting with leaders of technology powerhouses, fledgling start-ups, and venture capitalists funding the next big idea. Yet, we recognize that not everyone in the region has shared in the wealth created in Silicon Valley. Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting with a number of groups including the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), the Chicana/Latina Foundation, the Latino Community Foundation, and others that are working tirelessly across the state to close the digital divide.

Leaders from Silicon Valley-area community groups gather with Assistant Secretary Strickling to talk about bridging the digital divide.