Digital equity plan will help older Iowans

Guest Column | Brad Anderson

Iowa has a historic opportunity to expand access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to everyone in the state, no matter where they live or their circumstances.

Access, however, depends on more than wires, poles, and other pieces of infrastructure. It also depends on making sure that internet service is affordable, and that all Iowans have the tools and the skills to use it.

I’m proud to say that Iowa just had its digital equity plan approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. This approval is the first step in unlocking federal funding that can help underserved communities — including older Iowans, veterans, low-income families, tribal communities, people living in rural areas and others — to connect to the internet.

The plan was developed after collaboration with stakeholders, partner organizations, and public participation. Through that work, the Iowa Department of Management found that while the state has made significant strides in recent years to close digital gaps, Iowa continues to face numerous challenges, especially in rural areas. A significant number of Iowans cite cost as a barrier to online participation and a quarter of survey respondents cited a lack of digital skills.

AARP Iowa, on behalf of our 330,000 members, applauds the approval of our state’s plan to expand high-speed internet access and adoption across the state. High-speed internet is not a luxury. Better connectivity allows older Iowans to navigate online government services, participate in virtual medical services, find and maintain employment, meet daily needs, and connect socially. In short, it improves the quality of life and helps older adults safely age in place.

Several key strategies have been identified to reduce barriers to internet access. Iowa will pursue efforts to improve overall broadband availability, reliability, affordability, digital skills, device access, and sustain these efforts over time. This is no small task.

While putting this comprehensive plan together is a start, there still is much work ahead of us. AARP Iowa looks forward to working with the Iowa Department of Management and other key stakeholders toward successful implementation of this plan. Too many older adults have been left behind for too long.

We must also maintain our focus on ensuring internet is affordable. As Iowa’s plan demonstrates, wires alone can’t solve the problem of connectivity, which is why AARP remains committed to the continuation of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides direct support to Iowans to help them afford internet service.

Eligible households can receive a benefit that provides a $30-$75 per month discount on the cost of high-speed internet. For many families, that can cover the entire cost of their service. There are over 124,000 Iowa households on the Affordable Connectivity Program and over 40% of these are headed by a resident 50 or older.

Right now, the program is at risk of running out of money in May. It’s our hope that Congress will maintain this critical program. Older adults in Iowa are counting on action.

Brad Anderson is the State Director of AARP Iowa.