2023 AARP Livable Communities Economic Development Workshop: Digital Connections

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Digital Connections

Coralette Hannon: Welcome back. I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the fantastic work happening across the country. As you saw in the video from the City of Orlando, having access to high-speed internet, also known as broadband, is a critical component of what makes a livable community. This became an even more pressing and important topic in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the only way to stay connected with each other and for many folks do their jobs, was through the internet. 

Affordable, reliable, high speed internet access is an essential resource for nearly all Americans and vital to daily life. Access to high-speed internet helps families stay healthy, find income opportunities, and grow local businesses. But too many communities in America, especially rural ones, lag behind when it comes to access to high-speed internet, and cost can be an issue.

According to a 2021 AARP survey, 60 percent of adults aged 50 and older say high cost is a problem. We're about to hear another fantastic discussion on this very topic featuring former FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. Remember to ask your questions of the panel, please go ahead and start entering them in Slido on the Q&A tab. 

Now it is my great pleasure to introduce our next moderator, Dawit Kahsai, Government Affairs Director. Dawit's work focuses on increasing high speed internet access and affordability for older adults and people of all ages. Welcome, Dawit, over to you. 

Dawit Kahsai: Thanks, Coralette. Welcome, everyone. I am thrilled to have you all here to discuss an important economic development topic with me. 

But before I do, I want to remind everyone about the Slido platform. You should see the instructions on how to ask a question. You can either go to Slido in your browser and enter the event code, Livable2023, or just scan the QR code on the screen. Now, I have the Honorable Mignon Clyburn with me here today to join the conversation.

Mignon Clyburn is principal at MLC Strategies and a former commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. During her tenure, the FCC shaped a framework to better enable entrepreneurship and innovation in diverse, underserved, and marginalized communities. All right, Mignon, let's kick things off with a Slido question. 

According to a report published by Older Adults Technology Services, OATS, from AARP's Aging Connected Initiative, more than 21 million seniors in the United States lack wireless broadband access to the internet. High speed internet has become vital to our lives, yet the data shows that millions are without access. The Slido question is, what barriers does your community face when it comes to high-speed internet access?

It's a multiple-choice question and the response options are

1. affordability
2. infrastructure
3. adoption
4. device availability
5. none of the above

Select as many as apply. Again, the question we're asking you is what barriers does your community face when it comes to high-speed internet access? 

I see a lot of great answers coming in here. Affordability is top of mind. Let's give folks a few more seconds. I see more responses are coming in. Let's see, infrastructure is second place, close by. Device availability is right there. I know that I have a few takeaways from the audiences’ response, but Mignon, I will turn it over to you to share your initial reaction first.

Mignon Clyburn: Well, first, thanks for having me and second, none of these answers are surprising. Affordability has been a factor, particularly in rural areas, particularly in places where infrastructure has been an issue and competition has been too few as in terms of competitive options. When you don't have a lot of competition, you've got either a monopoly or maybe two providers, and there is not a lot of economic incentives for them to bring the price down. 

Again, the infrastructure is definitely an issue, which is why you have seen the government being really active and engaged and infusing economic infrastructure monies to go into these communities to the tune of a hundred million dollars in the latest round for each state. What you're seeing now is a recognition of that the top three answers are key.

You've got these affordable care programs that are addressing that for those who are lower income, $30 a month product and you're seeing companies, internet service providers building in these communities, and that is important. So those top two issues are being addressed in real time. The first one, affordability, there's a challenge because the one program that's the most recent program that has been doing a lot of good work is subject to run out of money really soon. 

Dawit Kahsai: I know, in addition to those three, I was thinking device option as well. This is an area I know continues to be a barrier to entry for many older adults. Due to the cost associated with purchasing a device like a computer or a tablet, especially for individuals who are on fixed income. I do believe there's room for improvement in this category as well.

Mignon Clyburn: Absolutely and when you talk about those devices, some of these, especially for seniors, they're not very organic. I distinctly remember my mother who was a librarian. who, one reason she accelerated her retirement is because things were migrating in a way that she was less comfortable. 

So that comfort level in dealing with these platforms in addition, to the very platforms where we would access and go online, the issue of these devices that, again, are not your rotary telephone, that is for some adults and some seniors, particularly those that might have physical challenges, that is an issue that we are addressing, and we must acknowledge.

Dawit Kahsai: Thank you, Mignon. Now, moving on to some of our discussion questions. Affordable, reliable, high-speed internet access is an essential resource for nearly all Americans and vital to daily life. It connects people to opportunities, enabling people to work from home, find jobs and income opportunities, and grow local businesses. Why is broadband vital, critical infrastructure for the larger community's economic growth?  

Mignon Clyburn: When you think about the changes that we have experienced, particularly over the last three and a half years, businesses have been disrupted, ways of life have been disrupted and so one of the things that we are so fixated on is really connecting these communities for real, this time after taking sort of I consider baby steps is to really diversify and give individuals and communities additional tools that are not strictly bound by brick and mortar, that are not bound by someone within your community being there for you hands on.

The reason why we are so excited and fixated and focused on connecting these communities is we recognize that it can be a recalibrator, a game changer in those places where there is a lack of medical professionals nearby, a lack of teachers, particularly, subject matter, foreign languages and the like, but there are issues and challenges that are attracting people, particularly in rural communities, being connected, having a device and having high speed internet, in every home and in every hamlet is a game changer and could be what that community needs, that substitute for that individual nearby, next door, that is no longer a barrier to opportunities. 

So that is why those of us who care about connecting communities are so fixated. We recognize it. These communities are not even. Everybody is not flocking, unfortunately to rural communities and where they are not going and where these specialists are not, access via this platform could be the next best thing to saving a life, to educating a person, and to enabling a business owner to be viable.

Dawit Kahsai: Mignon, we really appreciate your expertise on this issue, which leads me to my next question. Across your career, you have been committed to closing the digital divide that restrict opportunities for communities of colors, low-income communities, rural and tribal areas, as well as older adults. How did high speed internet access become an equity issue? Why is digital equity important to local economies? And what can be done to level the digital playing field for communities of color, tribal, and rural communities?  

Mignon Clyburn: You have asked a series of complex questions, and I'll try and feel free to, feed me once again. One of the things that is obvious when it comes to infrastructure, that development just like buildings and other tangible infrastructure did not and is not necessarily flowing to those communities that are low wealth that are rural with fewer people that are off the beaten path, so to speak. When we recognize that that is the case and that it is a challenge. The reason why we find ourselves at this juncture with a lack of industry, infrastructure, affordability, availability, all of these, perceived relevance. The reason why we find ourselves here is that unevenness, that a lot of the things that may be either barriers or shortfalls in our communities. They are reflected. It should not surprise anyone when it comes to digital availability. Again, if it's low income and individuals do not think, businesses do not think they can make that particular rate of return, chances are high that you don't see that type of infrastructure built in those communities.

It’s not surprising, it's just another platform or another thing so to speak, the latest thing, in the internet of things that are not in certain communities, because people are making critical business decisions and if the numbers aren't there, if the individuals are not going to pay a certain price point, all of those things are going to be challenges in our communities. 

Dawit Kahsai: How do we level that digital playing field? Is the answer through the infrastructure package or is that something that we just continue to strive towards? 

Mignon Clyburn: It is build it and hope they will come. But it can't just be that. We talked about some of the barriers meaning affordability. You have to have a program that bridges that gap. 

There has to be that complement that will say we want a high-speed solution. We recognize that everyone can't pay. There are many people in this country living paycheck to paycheck and an extra $10, $20 a month — they don't have it. You're going to have to have a program that bridges that addresses and that will close that gap.

If you don't, those communities and those individuals are, are not going to thrive. We have to think about all of the challenges in our community that exist that have been persistent for decades and affirm we know that there are solutions in terms of education and the like, where connectivity can fill and so be it incentives coming from your healthcare provider providing, other types of working with the insurance companies to provide economic incentives on premiums to lower the premiums if you communicate online or have a rebate so someone can afford online, all of the above. Government, yes, but private industry too. Not just the internet service providers, but all of the other carriers as well as businesses that rely on these platforms, they should be a part of the solution and offer incentives for that to be more ubiquitous.  

Dawit Kahsai: Thanks, Mignon. Digital equity has been top of mind for us at AARP, especially when we think about older adults. According to 2021 Pew Research, 25 percent of adults aged 65 and older reports never going online, compared with much smaller shares of adults under the age of 65. This is striking compared to other age brackets. Why are adults age 65 and over not as connected on the internet as compared to younger demographics? What challenges might they face? What are the economic impacts of the lack of broadband adoption for older adults? 

Mignon Clyburn: Well, one of the things that I brought up my mother for more than one reason, I think about her every day. But one of the things is obvious, that person in the mirror - that a lot of us think that we've reached the end of certain learning cycles. I'm here to affirm that you have not, that the beauty about today and tomorrow, is that you have these opportunities, these platforms, these evolutions when it comes to these options that will meet your needs, that will meet you where you are and to say that and you know an older person can't learn a new trick is, is not the case. Some of the biggest, I believe, with that figure that you just put forth, the biggest obstacle is us — self-limiting ourselves, thinking that we cannot learn about these platforms and over these platforms where they are in a series and a period of learning of AI, all of these things that will, they will adapt to us. 

So, if we can really think about not having where we are now being a self-limiting factor and find, and the government is going to assist with this increasingly, but you have to be active in asking for it, having these programs that will help navigate and guide you to a more digitally connected communities. I think we will be best off, but the person in the mirror, in my opinion, I could quote a lot of other barriers, but the person in the mirror for that 25 or 27 percent you mentioned, I believe is part of the biggest challenge and the biggest limiting factor, because too many people think they cannot, and I'm here to affirm, you can.

You had a first day at the job, you had a first day at work you had a first day at retirement and all of those things were new and novel, and you did not know what they were or what tomorrow would bring. I am here to tell you that tomorrow brings a whole host of promises when it comes to connectivity. 

If you're willing to take the steps needed to get and benefit from the full promise of a connected future. 

Dawit Kahsai: Great answer. Thanks, Mignon. Our nation is also seeing unprecedented federal funding for high-speed internet. How can local communities utilize federal and state government resources to improve digital connections? As we look at the future and some of the uncertainty behind the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) what message do we want to deliver to states and communities across the country?  

Mignon Clyburn: That those monies that you are getting, that are already flowing to most communities, that you spend those monies, appropriate those monies, to the places that could benefit the most.

Kick politics out of it, put biases aside, look at your communities that could benefit the most from connectivity. Look at those communities that have not benefited in decades from the advancements that we have made and triple down in those communities and put the monies and allow them to flow there first. 

If we do that to help the most challenged, to help the most disadvantaged, if we were to do that, you will have a trickle up effect. That will again help empower those communities, educate and embolden those communities, help them be better entrepreneurs, help them scale, help them fix their own problems.

These communities know what their problems are. They know where they had decades to live with them. What they have not had is the resources, the attention the empathy to challenge that. If we as a collective, go to those meetings, get to know your broadband director - every state has a broadband director. Every county has a coordinator. Go speak with them and affirm to them what you need, what your neighborhood and what your communities need. Demand those dollars.

Again, the latest round has a hundred million dollars going to each state. That money is going to be spent. If it is not spent in your community and you did not, overtly ask for it, then shame on you. It's not going to come organically. Nothing comes organically to communities that have traditionally been left behind. This round of funding, which is unprecedented, I believe it's up to you to speak loudly and boldly and demand your fair share of dollars so you can plant the seeds for a more connected and robust tomorrow. 

Dawit Kahsai: Mignon, we are so glad to have you here to discuss this important topic with us today. We have one more question for you before we head into Q&A. Throughout this workshop, we want to equip participants with tools, resources, and strategies for getting work done in communities. With that in mind, what should we each be ready to do differently as a result of this conversation?

Mignon Clyburn: Go into rooms that you traditionally have not been invited in. Go to meetings, go to county meetings, go to the legislative branch meetings of those particular committees that have jurisdiction over that. We need to go pull up chairs at these tables, go into different rooms, just demand more. It is not going to flow to these communities that have been left behind, by you being silent. 

We can't afford silence. This level of funding is not going to come again. So, as a collective, you know, go with, your community, your friends, your posse, and say, this is what we need - we know that an investment here will bring boundless results. So go to those meetings, you know, if you're retired, go to those meetings during the middle of the day. If you have to work, go to those meetings at night. Write your broadband office and affirm to them what they need. Write your carrier.

Call your carrier internet service provider in your area and say, why aren't you here — and if infrastructure is still a challenge and if you're not here today, when will you be here? Do you offer a product that I can afford? We have to be active - answering, pushing, and demanding change. This is the window. It is slowly closing. Over the next three or four years, that money will be hardwired if you don't speak up now. 

Dawit Kahsai: Thank you for providing our audience with a call to action. We also have Mike here with us to help facilitate the live Q&A. Mike?  

Mike Watson: Thanks, Dawit. Thanks, Mignon. That was incredible. We have time for a few questions, and I'm going to jump right in and see what questions we have. Plenty here already. Mignon, you mentioned that window closing, and we're seeing a few questions here around affordability and the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Dawit can you explain to us, I know AARP's done a lot of work in this area, why is the Affordable Connectivity Program so important? We know older adults make up about half of the enrollees. Can you tell us a little bit about that and why it's so important?  

Dawit Kahsai: Thank you, Mike. So, why is the ACP critical for older Americans? I think it's a great question and here's how I'll answer the question. Think about how much we do online every day. Broadband access and the ACP is very critical for older adults to stay connected with the world around them, especially those living on fixed income, because it guarantees they can get and remain online.

The ACP also ensures they can afford internet access so they can communicate with caregivers, meet virtually with their doctors, or connect with loved ones and fight isolation. This benefit is especially important as the cost of everyday items like groceries continues to rise, so seniors should not be forced to make the impossible choice between paying for food, medicine, or internet service. 

Mike Watson: That's really important points, underscoring just how significant this program is, and again, Mignon, you mentioned that closing of the window, so I know this program and Dawit you mentioned this is temporary. Mignon, what happens, and then Dawit, afterwards, what happens if Congress doesn't authorize that funding and it expires? What will that mean for people who are on the program today?

Mignon Clyburn: That will mean 12 to 20 million people may not have an option and that number is growing at a certain percentage, a very healthy percentage each month that option will leave. We do have a lifeline program, but that only reimburses $9.25 per month to be connected, which left a lot of limitations. This $30 per month has allowed tens of millions of people to be connected, with high-speed internet access, both in a legacy, on a wireline and over a wireless platform. It allowed for that reimbursement. If not, there will be 20 or so million people without an option because these companies do have fixed costs and they are not going to sadly connect these persons and take a loss. They're not going to go in the red or not recover their expenditures and make that profit without the proper level of reimbursement.  

So the end of this would mean that a whole host of people, as you mentioned, at least half would be seniors where the options would dry up. It will be such a shame for the past year or so that they have grown into this, you know, particularly positive habit of being able to connect with communities, connect with families, and grow online and that will be snatched away without any correctional or other type of economic stimulation. It will be catastrophic, I think. 

Mike Watson: Thanks for that, Mignon. Really some dire statistics that I think you mentioned there.  

Dawit, I want to go to you and give you the last word on this. What happens if and what can folks do? What happens if Congress doesn't authorize this funding and then we're going to close out. So Dawit? 

Dawit Kahsai: Sure, I'll add that we've made so much progress closing the digital divide over the past couple of years, with the Once in a Generation program like the ACP and the EBB program through Commerce, but again, to Mignon's point, without additional funding, the ACP is set to end next April. Leaving upward of 20 to 25 million households by that time at risk of disconnection. I think millions, including older Americans, will not be able to afford their internet service and will be relegated, I think, to the wrong side of the digital divide and cutting out the good work states and cities will be doing to deploy additional broadband. 

I mean, at the end of the day, what good is more cable in the ground if there are no paying customers on the other end? I think what people can do is, I do believe the ACP touches a lot of us on this call, and there are families enrolled right now in the program in every town, every suburb, every city, state. If this program matters to you and your constituents, let your federal representative know they need to hear from those on the ground now so they can fight for this program and get additional funding. 

Mike Watson: Fantastic call to action there Dawit and for that fantastic conversation and for being with us here today to underscore that important topic. 

Dawit Kahsai: Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you. Thank you again. Now, Mignon and Dawit just gave us some really dire statistics and also some inspiring numbers as we think about the situation today with folks having more internet access. To bring those concepts to life, I'm pleased to share a few more videos featuring an AARP Community Challenge grant in San Francisco where folks are working to increase understanding of digital resources. And then you'll hear some stories from people, courtesy of AARP affiliate OATS Senior Planet. These videos are going to last about seven minutes, and when we come back, we'll kick off our final panel discussion of the day, focused on local leaders taking action.