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Bridging the Digital Divide and Bringing Pennsylvania Online
In today’s digital age, access to the internet is more than just a convenience. Unfortunately, many Americans still face significant barriers to getting online.
In response to this inequity, researchers from the Media, Inequality & Change (MIC) Center at Annenberg and the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at The Pennsylvania State University launched the Pennsylvania Broadband Research (PBR) Institute, a research group dedicated to bridging the digital divide in the state and the country.
“We’re at a critical juncture with regard to the internet here in the United States,” said postdoctoral fellow David Elliot Berman (Ph.D. '22), who helped establish the institute with C. Edwin Baker Professor of Media Policy and Political Economy Victor Pickard. “Sixty-five billion dollars is going to be invested in the country’s internet infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and at least $1.2 billion of it is going to Pennsylvania.”
He said that despite technological advancements, Pennsylvania remains plagued by inconsistent and inadequate internet access. The problem is most severe in rural areas, where the lack of infrastructure makes it difficult for residents to connect to reliable, high-speed internet. However, even in areas with adequate infrastructure, affordability, and digital literacy create obstacles for many households.
“Through critical inquiry into digital equity issues, we dare to imagine what a truly democratic internet might look like.” – Victor Pickard
The five founding members — Pickard at Annenberg, Berman at Seton Hall, and professors Sascha Meinrath, Christopher Ali (Ph.D. '13), and Sydney Forde at Penn State — recognize that addressing the digital divide requires more than top-down solutions.
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“While every member of the PBR Institute has their own particular area of expertise, we all share the common conviction that we need to greatly expand the conversation when it comes to broadband policy in Pennsylvania and beyond,” Pickard said.
The institute actively engages with communities across Pennsylvania to understand their unique challenges and needs.
This includes working with local organizations and residents to develop tailored solutions that work for specific communities and bringing attention to inequities in internet access.
While the institute has made significant strides, the road to universal internet access in Pennsylvania is still long. As their research and advocacy efforts continue, the institute aims to see a future where every Pennsylvanian, regardless of location or income, has the tools they need to succeed in a connected world.
“Through critical inquiry into digital equity issues, we dare to imagine what a truly democratic internet might look like,” said Pickard.