A large digital divide is among the many challenges that COVID-19 has exposed across our region. Many of us are struggling to adjust to a new way of life that is heavily dependent on broadband internet connections, which several of us do not have. The inequity of access to high-speed internet must change. Right now, our children are required to complete schoolwork online and a large population of us are being required to work remotely. The lack of a broadband internet connection is making these tasks extremely difficult, if not impossible.

For those of us without broadband internet access, we are limited to two choices for home internet: satellite broadband or mobile carrier provided hotspots. They are both throttled offerings, meaning you are limited to a certain amount of data each month and at much slower speeds than high-speed wired connections offered elsewhere in our area. Neither of these options can keep up with the daily requirements of a family in 2020. Our kids have difficulty accessing and completing their online schoolwork, some internet-based applications will not load because the connection speeds are extremely slow. Virtual meetings through Zoom, Google Meets or other similar platforms are lagging, grainy, and unproductive. Sharing large files for personal or work-related reasons is frustratingly slow or even impossible.

Lack of access for all members of our community to fast and reliable broadband internet service is a disparity that needs to be addressed to create digital equity across our region. In 2020 broadband internet is no longer a luxury, it is an essential utility that should be available to all. As we adapt to a new normal that is likely to require a greater dependence on home internet service, I implore our leaders to recognize that closing the digital divide needs to be a top priority.