Research & Policies
This section contains highlights and links to key research and policies that support broadband adoption and digital inclusion. This includes work, such as the Digital Inclusion Framework, that the Communities Connect Network (CCN) has led or played a significant role in, as well as key resources we find useful at the local, state, national, and international level.
Key CCN work
- Digital Inclusion Framework: Defines digital inclusion as Access, Literacy and Content as clarifies the elements under each. A common framework is critical to developing supporting policies, speaking a common language for investment and describing the field.
- Washington State Law 6438-S2.SL: Signed on March 31st, 2008 by Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, this legislation relating to high-speed internet deployment and adoption legally defines community technology and digital inclusion and it established the Community Technology Opportunity Program.
- Scope and impact of community technology programs in Washington State: Research conducted in partnership with the University of Washington Information School, Washington State University and others to evaluate the impact and needs of public access computer centers. Currently the UW is our partner on the evaluation of the CCN Project funded under BTOP. (Also available: UW/WSU poster showing CCN work and study results)
- Community Technology Opportunity Program Evaluation: The evaluation of the first year of the CTOP grant program, considering the impact of direct service support for public computing centers and the impact of capacity building training for the centers.
Washington State
- State Broadband Office, Dep't of Commerce: Planning, mapping, speed test, research and support for broadband deployment and adoption.
National
- National Broadband Plan: On March 16, 2010, the Federal Communications Commission delivered "Connecting America: The National Broadband Plan" (See Inclusion Section 2: Availability, Adoption and Utilization chapters)
- Benton Foundation policy site: Great site with accessible content and tracking of broadband, telecom, consumer issues, public access media, and related public technology and telecom policy issues.
- Universal Affordable Broadband for All Americans: Benton report on "How to Modernize Universal Service for the 21st Century and Connect Americans to a New Era of Digital Opportunity"
- FCC Broadband site and Data site
- Pew Internet and American Life Project: The leading national research on use of the Internet.
