Digital Equity Program

Arizona’s Digital Equity Program is an initiative to promote digital equity and inclusion to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of a digital economy. The state is committed to ensuring universal broadband availability through infrastructure investments, supporting affordable broadband plans for all Arizonans, ensuring access to affordable, internet enabled devices and providing inclusive digital skills training.

The state is committed to ensuring that all Arizonans can participate fully and securely in the digital landscape. The Digital Equity Plan is designed to address the critical areas of:

Internet Cost & Stability

Inclusivity of Resources

Digital Literacy Upskilling Opportunities

Privacy & Cybersecurity

Device Access

Digital Equity Timeline

The State Broadband Office intends to successfully achieve the Digital Equity Plan goals by 2030.

Timeline

Anticipated Next Steps

Digital Equity Plan

Arizona’s Digital Equity Plan represents the culmination of a year-long, statewide collaborative effort, marked by attentive listening to the voices and feedback of communities across the state. This plan, written in response to the 15 requirements laid out by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), addresses specific barriers faced by Arizonans that fall within the eight covered populations as defined by NTIA:

Individuals who live in low-income households
Aging individuals
Incarcerated individuals, other than individuals who are incarcerated in a Federal correctional facility
Veterans
Individuals with disabilities
Individuals with a language barrier, including individuals who are English learners and have low levels of literacy
Racial and ethnic minorities
Rural inhabitants

Overall, more than 80% of Arizonans fall into one or more of the eight covered populations outlined above.

VIEW DIGITAL EQUITY PLAN

Digital Equity Plan Strategic Goals

The state is committed to ensuring that all Arizonans can participate fully and securely in the digital landscape. The Digital Equity Plan strategic goals include:

Goal 1:
Increase availability and affordability of reliable, high-speed broadband Internet.

Provide universal connectivity to unserved and underserved areas and ensure high-speed internet access is available to every household in Arizona. 
Launch and increase enrollment in BEAD-compliant, low-cost plans.

 
Goal 2:
Increase inclusivity and accessibility of public resources and services.

Make online spaces and content more accessible to a wider range of persons.  
Establish local and tribal designated Digital Equity Specialists. 
Support local and tribal capacity for digital equity planning and activities.  
Increase telehealth access points and support Health Navigator services.

Goal 3:
Enhance digital literacy and skills training, tailored to covered populations.

Increase digital literacy and skills training opportunities.
Strengthen community support through digital navigation service utilization.
Ensure workforce development opportunities for people within covered populations to prepare for jobs created by the BEAD Program. 
Create State Seal of Digital Literacy for high school students.

Goal 4:
Enhance safety and security of Arizona’s digital spaces.