Anthony Shop: D.C. must embrace 5G to address the digital divide during COVID-19 and beyond
Living in our nation’s capital provides a unique perspective — we’re constantly exposed to policy and societal issues happening on a national scale, while also focused on improving our communities here in DC. From Takoma to Anacostia, H Street to Georgetown, we all want our neighborhoods to thrive and fellow residents to be successful.
When the pandemic hit and our schools and local businesses were forced to shut down, some District residents easily transitioned to a remote work environment while others fell behind due to lack of access to technology. Whether it be sharing one laptop among an entire household or difficulty accessing the internet, many families struggled to adapt to the “new normal.”
As a result, District officials immediately took steps to bridge the digital divide. I join the digital community in praising Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC government for launching the $3.3 million Internet for All initiative to provide free internet access for up to 25,000 disconnected low-income students and families.
Nevertheless, there is more work to be done to bring digital equity to all eight wards.
At the National Digital Roundtable, a DC-based organization, we’re dedicated to educating and informing business, nonprofit and policy professionals about the technology trends and tactics changing the world.
Today, an important trend we’re seeing is that the vast majority of Americans — more than 96% — own a cellphone of some sort, up from just 35% in 2011, according to the Pew Research Center.
We also need to consider that young, minority and low-income individuals increasingly rely on wireless devices to access educational resources. And locally, a recent poll found that 57% of DC voters say they rely more heavily on wireless devices because of COVID-19 restrictions.
The ubiquity of wireless devices creates an opportunity to help address the digital divide, but first we need the right infrastructure upgrades to ensure an ultra-fast connection. Increased wireless connectivity through next-generation networks such as 5G will help to provide people with better access to job applications and online education or training, while also enabling more workers to telecommute.
5G builds on our existing 4G networks and requires deployment of small cells, a series of antennas installed on municipal infrastructure like utility poles and streetlights that are connected by fiber cable. DC already has a process in place for moving ahead with the buildout of small cell networks across all eight wards; as District residents, it is critical that we support this process to ensure that connectivity is a reality in our neighborhoods.
As we continue to work and learn remotely, we can’t risk letting members of our community fall behind. We may be the nation’s capital, but other cities like Baltimore are moving ahead at a quicker pace with 5G. Unfortunately, too often fear of new technology can delay its implementation and the benefits it brings.
While DC leaders are smart to be moving in a deliberative fashion, the fact of the matter is we can learn from other communities that are embracing better wireless connectivity at a faster pace.
Anthony Shop chairs the DC-based National Digital Roundtable, which regularly convenes digital innovators, leaders and policy shapers to discuss how technology can be used to create a brighter future.
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