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AZBSN COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic the world is creating the largest telecommunity of all time. Social and physical distancing is becoming the new normal requiring unpresented demand for digital access, including affordable Internet access and other digital inclusion and digital equity resources and services for all Arizona citizens, including students, parents, teachers, seniors, library patrons and the general public, especially those citizens in tribal, rural and other underserved communities and low-income neighborhoods in Arizona. ​

In response to the dramatic increase in demand for digital access due to COVID-19, AZBSN, led by the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council (ATIC) and the Greater Arizona Educational Leadership (GAZEL) organization, established the COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force.

​When the Task Force was created, the initial focus was on Internet access, but it soon became clear that we needed to address Digital Access, not just Internet access.​ The pandemic has illuminated the long-standing deficiencies in affordable broadband Internet access in Arizona. But digital access is more than affordable Internet access.

​While we need to get everyone connected, many Arizona citizens don’t have access to other digital access requirements including affordable devices such as computers, smartphones and home hotspots; skills and technical support to enable them to use the devices, the Internet and applications effectively; digital literacy and web literacy skills; and access to digital content, applications and other resources.

Digital Access Strategy Report 2020
In November 2020 the Task Force published a comprehensive Digital Access report  presenting a statewide Digital Access Strategy including tactical and strategic recommendations and initiatives for action. The report addresses the digital access needs of all Arizona citizens, including students, parents, teachers, seniors, library patrons and the general public, especially those citizens in tribal, rural and other underserved communities and low-income neighborhoods in Arizona.

What Is Digital Access

​Digital access is more than just access to fast affordable and reliable Broadband Internet access.

While we need to get everyone connected, we need to ensure that all many Arizona citizens have access to other digital access requirements including affordable devices such as computers, smartphones and home hotspots; skills and technical support to enable them to use the devices, the Internet and applications effectively; digital literacy and web literacy skills; and access to digital content, applications and other resources.

See Report Details & Download Report

More About The Task Force

​In 2019 the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council (ATIC) and the Greater Arizona Educational Leadership (GAZEL) organization created the Arizona Broadband Stakeholder Network (AZBSN). AZBSN is facilitating collaboration, coordination, information sharing and communication among public, private and nonprofit stakeholders engaged in initiatives to promote digital access in communities throughout Arizona, including deployment of affordable and reliable broadband internet access. Digital access will to enable those communities to utilize those connections to: support 21st Century education, create jobs and support economic development; train a 21st century workforce; enhance public safety and health care and; connect their citizens to the world.

​The Network will lead to collaborative projects, development of joint grant applications, sharing of funding and other resources, aggregation of demand at the state and local level and policy discussions. AZBSN has become a primary organization for communication to stakeholders throughout the state. 

​Consistent with this AZBSN mission, and in response to the COVID-19 dramatic increase in demand for digital access, AZBSN established the COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force.  More than 60 public and private digital access advocates are participating in the statewide Task Force. These leaders and industry experts are sharing information and collaborating on recommendations and critical digital access initiatives for the State. ​See more info about Task Force participants below.

​The Task Force has been meeting weekly at, believe it or not, 7:30 am every Monday morning. True dedication! Task Force meetings include regular Federal and State updates from: the Arizona Commerce Authority’s State Broadband Director; the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records; the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction with Arizona Department of Education; the Sun Corridor Network; the Arizona Corporation Commission, the Arizona Telemedicine Program and the Arizona Telemedicine Broadband Action Team; the Sun Corridor Network and; a number of educational and nonprofit organizations. Each week we also highlight a Digital Access Resource organization.

AZBSN Task Force Leadership

• Steve Peters, Coordinator, GAZEL, AZBSN, and COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force
• Mark Goldstein, International Research Center & ATIC Chair
• Henry Goldberg, Consultant & ATIC Vice Chair
• Oris Friesen, Future Information Technologies & ATIC Acting Secretary

The Task Force Is:

• Facilitating collaboration, coordination, information sharing and communication among key public, private and nonprofit stakeholders
• Collaborating on priority initiatives for schools, libraries, telemedicine, communities, and more
• Developing a statewide COVID-19 digital access strategy to support, schools, universities, community colleges, students, homes, libraries, health care facilities, businesses and communities
• Identifying and advocating for funding to enable implementation of COVID-19 Digital Access Projects

Task Force activities include:

• Regular Task Force informational, coordinating and planning meetings
• Task Force Subcommittees including Education, Libraries, Telemedicine, Service Providers, Communities, and Funding
• Regular Community, Stakeholder, and Citizen Communications by newsletters, webinars, web site and informational meetings, social media, etc.
• Service Provider Resources with Arizona Contacts
• Federal and State Digital Access Briefings
• Short Term Initiatives
• Online Database: Resources, Needs, Contacts, etc.
• Collaboration Platform
• A State plan defining short term plans and priorities that will identify challenges, barriers and recommendations related to  key issues including Education, Libraries, Telemedicine, Service Providers, Communities, and Funding
• AZBSN COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force Web Pages, with links to and from the Arizona Commerce Authority and other sites providing related information
• Statewide Webinars and stakeholder informational meetings
• AZBSN Newsletters to all relevant stakeholders in Arizona
• Social Media Announcements 

Four Task Force Committees Created
Four Planning Committees were created to identify needs and issues, prepare short and long term tactical and strategic recommendations, and provide a forum for information sharing and collaboration among digital inclusion advocates. The charge to the Committees included:

• Education and Libraries Committee: What Digital Access/Digital Inclusion requirements such as Internet access and devices, as well as training, funding and technical support are imperative for libraries and library patrons, public and private K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, students, families, faculty, community? What are the barriers? What specific strategies, initiatives, resources, partnerships, technologies or opportunities can we recommend or initiate to help address these needs? Under the Leadership of: Mala Muralidharan, E-rate Administrator for Public Libraries, Arizona State Library, Nicole Umayam, Digital Inclusion Librarian Arizona State Library and Nan Williams, Executive Director, Arizona Technology in Education Association
• Funding and Resources Committee: What funding and resources opportunities are there, such as federal, state and local funding, foundations, donation campaigns, volunteer support, refurbished equipment, donations and support from Internet providers and technology companies? How can they best be optimized, accessed and leveraged by Arizona stakeholders? Under the Leadership of: Lea Márquez Peterson, Commissioner, Arizona Corporation Commission

• Technology Committee: ​What Digital Access technologies should be considered to provide Internet access to schools, libraries, families, enterprises and communities such as fiber or other wireline technologies, satellite, mesh networks, cellular, microwave, Wi-Fi on buses, access to schools and libraries E-rate networks? What kinds of devices are needed and should be considered such as computers and tablets, cell phones, hot spots, webcams, software, conferencing services? Under the Leadership of: John Kelly, Principal, Triadvocates and Steve Hill, President, Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association
• Communities Committee: What Digital Access capabilities are needed to support community entities such as small business owners and employees, economic development, government services, public safety, nonprofit organizations, etc.? What are the barriers? What specific strategies, initiatives, resources, partnerships, technologies or opportunities can we recommend or initiate to help address these needs? Under the Leadership of: Alan Pruitt, Executive Director, Western Arizona Economic Development District (WAEDD) and John Lucas, President, Community Broadband Advocates
• Note-Telemedicine and Public Safety: While the Task Force also has interest in Telemedicine and Public Safety, the Arizona Telemedicine Program-Southwest Telehealth Resource Center and the Arizona Broadband Director at the ACA are leading an Arizona Telehealth Broadband Action Team. The Arizona Public Safety Broadband Network and State 9-1-1 Program Director with the Arizona Department of Administration is also leading a Public Safety initiative around FirstNet wireless that is also dependent on strong fiber and vertical asset infrastructure, so we are coordinating with, but not duplicating those efforts, sharing information and building on synergies in the Arizona broadband ecosystem.

AZBSN COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force Stakeholders

The Task Force has engaged public and private leaders as well as industry experts, to share information and collaborate on recommendations and critical digital access initiatives for the State. Participation in the Task Force includes representation across State and Local Government, Public Policy Makers, Rural Community Leaders, Economic Development, Education, Health Services, Public Safety, Libraries, Nonprofit Organizations, Telecommunication Service Providers, Technology Companies ​​
​​
While there are many more partners that deserve recognition, the following is a representative list of our Task Force participants:

• The State Broadband Director with the Arizona Commerce Authority
• A Commissioner with the Arizona Corporation Commission
• The Executive Director of the Sun Corridor Network (a statewide network connecting the 3 state universities to Internet 2)
• The Arizona Broadband Stakeholder
  Network Coordinator
• The E-rate Administrator for Public Libraries, and the State Librarian of the Arizona State Library
• The Arizona Director, Common Sense Media
• Special Assistant to the Superintendent, Arizona Department of Education
• The CIO, City of Tucson
• The Community Engagement Manager, Care1st
  Arizona Health Plan
• A Policy Analyst at Pima Association of Governments
• The Cradle to Career Partnership, Impact & Improvement Director at the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona ​
• The Vice President, Information Management and Technology Services, Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. | 

• A Principal with Triadvocates
• The Executive Director of the Arizona Technology In Education Association
• The Associate Director for Education & Facilities with the Arizona Telemedicine Program
• The Chair of the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council
• The Executive Director of the Western Arizona Economic Development District
• The Director of Business & Education Partnerships, Pima County Superintendent of Schools Office
• The Executive Director, School Connects
• The President, Satellite Broadcasting and
  ​Communications Association 
• An Enterprise Services Solution Sales Executive, Insight
•  The CEO of BigData Southwest and Co Chair the IoT Committee of the Arizona Technology Council 
• Internet service providers
• Others representing citizen, provider  and community interests ​

Participation Is Encouraged By All

The COVID-19 Crises and the Need for Digital Access

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic the world is creating the largest telecommunity of all time. Social and physical distancing is becoming the new normal requiring unprecedented demand for digital access. Schools are closed and are working hard to convert to online and digital learning! Businesses are closed or transitioning to online engagement with their customers, while millions of employees are working from home and participating in online meetings with colleagues! Libraries are closed and often unable to provide internet access to their patrons! Overwhelmed healthcare facilities committed to meeting demand and protecting patients and staff, are providing interaction with patients through telemedicine! Government services are transitioning to online citizen access!

None of this is possible without fast, reliable and affordable broadband internet access. Unfortunately, those services are not available to many tribal, rural and other underserved communities and low-income neighborhoods in Arizona. Many students can’t participate in online learning, and the populations most in need of telemedicine such as the elderly and those existing serious health conditions, often cannot access telemedicine services. Many small business are unable to provide telework opportunities for their employees. Without broadband, many are isolated and unable to communicate with their friends, family, colleagues, and, perhaps most importantly, their healthcare providers. These citizens are being left behind because they don’t have access to reliable broadband.

Broadband is only one piece of the puzzle. To participate in the telecommunity, everyone will require access to digital resources and services including broadband, technology and digital content.  

What has become clear is the importance of digital access, and Arizona’s
​lack of  digital access resources and services to serve all of Arizona’s communities.

The Arizona Broadband Stakeholder Network

ATIC, the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council, GAZEL, the Greater Arizona Educational Leadership organization, and other stakeholder organizations, are leading the development of the Network. AZBSN is working to accelerate deployment of affordable and reliable Broadband Internet access in communities throughout Arizona, and to enable those communities to utilize those connections to: support 21st Century education, create jobs and support economic development; train a 21st century workforce; enhance public safety and health care and; connect their citizens to the world.

AZBSN is facilitating collaboration, coordination, information sharing and communication among public, private and nonprofit stakeholders engaged in initiatives to promote digital access in Arizona. The Network may lead to collaborative projects, development of joint grant applications, sharing of funding and other resources, aggregation of demand at the state and local level, policy discussions, communication to stakeholders, etc.

Contact and Join The Task Force

See Report Details & Download Report

Contact

Steve Peters, Coordinator,
​AZBSN and COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force
aticarizona@gmail.com
Phone and Text: ​520-321-1309 ​