Tag Archives: digital divide

New Data Shows Where Funding for Affordable Connectivity Program is Being Spent

September 14th, 2022

With a new data dashboard, advocates and stakeholders working to advance digital equity can see state and local stats on where and how $14.2 billion in federal funding is being spent via the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which was designed to help American households pay for the monthly cost of their Internet subscription.

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly to use the data to promote local engagement of older adults who may be eligible for the program promoting digital access. Continue reading →

With Input from MHAC, ‘Connecting Communities through Digital Equity’ Report Released by MassINC, MACP

June 30th, 2022

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is grateful to have participated in a working group led by MassINC and the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership that informed a new report titled “Connecting Communities Through Digital Equity.”

The report builds on MassINC’s 2020 digital divide research, framing the challenges and opportunities ahead, and outlining a near-term action plan. Continue reading →

Tools to Help Older Adults Prepare for 3G Network Shutdowns Shared by NCLER

December 1st, 2021

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and as covered in many media outlets, including the Boston Globe, mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks, which rely on older technology, to make room for more advanced network services, including 5G.

This also impacts certain medical devices and MHAC has learned of companies going through major processes of upgrading devices like Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS). Continue reading →

Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots Available at Libraries Across State with Opportunities for Collaboration

October 20th, 2021

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners recently announced that local libraries across the state are loaning out Wi-Fi hotspots, which are devices that you can take with you to access the internet from wherever you are.

Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots connect to cellular data the same where a smart phone does to create a secure and reliable internet connection for devices that need one. This presents an opportunity to address digital equity among older adults. Continue reading →

AARP Survey Highlights Tech Adoption and Perceived Barriers Among Grandparents

October 13th, 2021

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, significantly more grandparents than non-grandparents purchased smartphones (32% vs. 22%) and Smart TVs (24% vs. 11%) than they did in the 12-months prior, according to AARP research.

Ranking the top barriers to adopting new technology, survey respondents identified cost (28%), lack of knowledge (24%), and privacy issues (22%) at the top of the list. Continue reading →