AZBSN COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force & Broadband Stakeholder Network
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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 for all Arizona communities including tribal, rural and other underserved communities and low-income neighborhoods in Arizona.
AZBSN, the Arizona Broadband Stakeholder Network, led by ATIC, the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council, GAZEL, the Greater Arizona Educational Leadership organization, in cooperation with many other stakeholder organizations, have created an AZBSN COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force. The Task Force will:
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What Is Digital Access
Digital access is more than just access to fast affordable and reliable Broadband Internet access. Everyone, especially students, also require access to technology such as computers, laptops, smart phones and other digital equipment such as routers, hotspots, security cameras, telemedicine hardware/software, etc., and digital content resources. |
AZBSN COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force Stakeholders
Task Force participation includes representation including: state and local government officials, public policy makers, rural community leaders, economic development, education, local or state government, health services, public safety, libraries, telecommunications and technology companies, and more.
Just some of our current partners include:
Just some of our current partners include:
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Participation Is Open To All Interested People
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.
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.
lack of digital access resources and services to serve all of Arizona’s communities.
AZBSN COVID-19 Task Force Plans and Subcommittees
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Subcommittee Teams
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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.
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.
| AZBSN Overview 2020.pdf |