Internet Access

Question and Answers

Q:
What's the digital divide?
A: The digital divide separates the millions of people in the United States who lack home-internet access from everyone else. The internet isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity, like access to running water or electricity. People without internet access are figuratively and literally disconnected from an increasingly digital world.
Q:
Why is this a racial justice issue?
A: The digital divide disproportionately impacts people of color. In fact, the 2016 Free Press report Digital Denied shows that people or color account for nearly half of the 69 million people in the United States who lack any form of home-internet access. Our study reveals that income inequality, biased credit scoring and other forms of systemic racial discrimination leave many people of color without internet access at home or at work.
Q:
Why is my internet bill so high?
A: Most people live in communities where there’s just one internet service provider available. Without competition, ISPs don’t need to offer fair rates or acceptable customer service; they’re free to call all the shots. Parents shouldn’t have to choose between buying groceries and paying for internet access so their kids can do their homework.