Nearly half of households in St. Louis City and County are impacted by at least one aspect of the digital divide. The study identified five key components of the digital divide: coverage, quality, service affordability, device affordability, and digital literacy. Low-income areas often face barriers in three or more of these components. The report provides data on each component and estimates that 150,000 households will need broadband subsidies and 90,000 will need devices. It identifies funding opportunities through federal programs that could help address gaps if deployed strategically.
The State of Wisconsin actively seeks to expand broadband availability and use. With affordable and adequate broadband the state is better position to be economically competitive and provide the quality of living that is expected by residents and the business community.
Two scenarios are considered in this study:
All residents and businesses in Wisconsin have access to a wireline broadband service (copper, cable or fiber) that delivers service at the nationally prescribed standard of 4 Mbps download speed.
A robust LTE mobile wireless (or equivalent) service delivers at least 10 Mbps download connection to every location where people live and work in Wisconsin.
Updated Policy Brief: Cooperatives Bring Fiber Internet Access to Rural AmericaEd Dodds
Originally published in 2017, our report, Cooperatives Fiberize Rural America: A Trusted Model for the Internet Era, focuses on cooperatives as a proven model for deploying fiber optic Internet access across the country. An update in the spring of 2019 included additional information about the rate co-ops are expanding Internet service, and now we’ve updated it again, with a new map and personal stories from areas where co-ops have drastically impacted local life.
In this webinar, hosted by the Good Home Inquiry, we examined how a digitally connected home supports and enhances a good home and how we can ensure more people are connected in ways that work for them in their existing homes.
Find out more: https://www.ageing-better.org.uk/events/good-digitally-connected-home
Tool Class-
compare the level of access to digital communities and their resources to that of others. Finally, create a means of sharing that comparison with others and describe the factors that affect access as well as that of others.
Cities are leveraging technology to better connect with its constituents. However, cities are at risk of isolating key segments of its populations without closing the digital divide. We will explore the digital divide’s impact on civic technology and the role of cities in increasing access to high-speed Internet.
Sheila Dugan, Marketing and Communications Manager at EveryoneOn
Watch the video online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yUi_dKovJ8&list=PL65XgbSILalVoej11T95Tc7D7-F1PdwHq&index=1
Get involved with Code for America: http://www.codeforamerica.org/action
Media organizations letter to Chicago officials - Google Docs.pdfTerence Henderson
Chicago media organizations and community leaders are blasting a plan to encrypt police radio scanners, saying doing so would be a threat to public safety.
In a letter signed by three publications, five television newsrooms, and WBEZ parent Chicago Public Media, the collation says City Hall's plan to block live transmission of police scanners would not only prevent residents from hearing about what's going on in the city, but also traffic information, weather emergencies and other news.
The State of Wisconsin actively seeks to expand broadband availability and use. With affordable and adequate broadband the state is better position to be economically competitive and provide the quality of living that is expected by residents and the business community.
Two scenarios are considered in this study:
All residents and businesses in Wisconsin have access to a wireline broadband service (copper, cable or fiber) that delivers service at the nationally prescribed standard of 4 Mbps download speed.
A robust LTE mobile wireless (or equivalent) service delivers at least 10 Mbps download connection to every location where people live and work in Wisconsin.
Updated Policy Brief: Cooperatives Bring Fiber Internet Access to Rural AmericaEd Dodds
Originally published in 2017, our report, Cooperatives Fiberize Rural America: A Trusted Model for the Internet Era, focuses on cooperatives as a proven model for deploying fiber optic Internet access across the country. An update in the spring of 2019 included additional information about the rate co-ops are expanding Internet service, and now we’ve updated it again, with a new map and personal stories from areas where co-ops have drastically impacted local life.
In this webinar, hosted by the Good Home Inquiry, we examined how a digitally connected home supports and enhances a good home and how we can ensure more people are connected in ways that work for them in their existing homes.
Find out more: https://www.ageing-better.org.uk/events/good-digitally-connected-home
Tool Class-
compare the level of access to digital communities and their resources to that of others. Finally, create a means of sharing that comparison with others and describe the factors that affect access as well as that of others.
Cities are leveraging technology to better connect with its constituents. However, cities are at risk of isolating key segments of its populations without closing the digital divide. We will explore the digital divide’s impact on civic technology and the role of cities in increasing access to high-speed Internet.
Sheila Dugan, Marketing and Communications Manager at EveryoneOn
Watch the video online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yUi_dKovJ8&list=PL65XgbSILalVoej11T95Tc7D7-F1PdwHq&index=1
Get involved with Code for America: http://www.codeforamerica.org/action
Media organizations letter to Chicago officials - Google Docs.pdfTerence Henderson
Chicago media organizations and community leaders are blasting a plan to encrypt police radio scanners, saying doing so would be a threat to public safety.
In a letter signed by three publications, five television newsrooms, and WBEZ parent Chicago Public Media, the collation says City Hall's plan to block live transmission of police scanners would not only prevent residents from hearing about what's going on in the city, but also traffic information, weather emergencies and other news.
A report from the Writer's Guild of America on how media mergers has not benefitted writers or consumers and criticizes the government for failing to enforce anti-trust rules.
Adjusting primitives for graph : SHORT REPORT / NOTESSubhajit Sahu
Graph algorithms, like PageRank Compressed Sparse Row (CSR) is an adjacency-list based graph representation that is
Multiply with different modes (map)
1. Performance of sequential execution based vs OpenMP based vector multiply.
2. Comparing various launch configs for CUDA based vector multiply.
Sum with different storage types (reduce)
1. Performance of vector element sum using float vs bfloat16 as the storage type.
Sum with different modes (reduce)
1. Performance of sequential execution based vs OpenMP based vector element sum.
2. Performance of memcpy vs in-place based CUDA based vector element sum.
3. Comparing various launch configs for CUDA based vector element sum (memcpy).
4. Comparing various launch configs for CUDA based vector element sum (in-place).
Sum with in-place strategies of CUDA mode (reduce)
1. Comparing various launch configs for CUDA based vector element sum (in-place).
Levelwise PageRank with Loop-Based Dead End Handling Strategy : SHORT REPORT ...Subhajit Sahu
Abstract — Levelwise PageRank is an alternative method of PageRank computation which decomposes the input graph into a directed acyclic block-graph of strongly connected components, and processes them in topological order, one level at a time. This enables calculation for ranks in a distributed fashion without per-iteration communication, unlike the standard method where all vertices are processed in each iteration. It however comes with a precondition of the absence of dead ends in the input graph. Here, the native non-distributed performance of Levelwise PageRank was compared against Monolithic PageRank on a CPU as well as a GPU. To ensure a fair comparison, Monolithic PageRank was also performed on a graph where vertices were split by components. Results indicate that Levelwise PageRank is about as fast as Monolithic PageRank on the CPU, but quite a bit slower on the GPU. Slowdown on the GPU is likely caused by a large submission of small workloads, and expected to be non-issue when the computation is performed on massive graphs.
Chatty Kathy - UNC Bootcamp Final Project Presentation - Final Version - 5.23...John Andrews
SlideShare Description for "Chatty Kathy - UNC Bootcamp Final Project Presentation"
Title: Chatty Kathy: Enhancing Physical Activity Among Older Adults
Description:
Discover how Chatty Kathy, an innovative project developed at the UNC Bootcamp, aims to tackle the challenge of low physical activity among older adults. Our AI-driven solution uses peer interaction to boost and sustain exercise levels, significantly improving health outcomes. This presentation covers our problem statement, the rationale behind Chatty Kathy, synthetic data and persona creation, model performance metrics, a visual demonstration of the project, and potential future developments. Join us for an insightful Q&A session to explore the potential of this groundbreaking project.
Project Team: Jay Requarth, Jana Avery, John Andrews, Dr. Dick Davis II, Nee Buntoum, Nam Yeongjin & Mat Nicholas
3. 2
The digital divide is best understood by examining and addressing five key components,
any of which can prevent an individual or family from adequate connectivity.
Defining the Digital Divide
Five Key Components
Coverage
Does infrastructure exist to provide
high-speed broadband technology?
Quality
Is the connection fast and reliable
enough for users to engage in
activities such as virtual learning or
telemedicine visits?
Service Affordability
Can households afford quality high-
speed broadband service?
1
3
2
4
5
Device Affordability
Can households afford the devices
they need?
Digital Literacy
and Mentoring
Do residents have the skills
and/or support necessary to
utilize the technology?
The vast majority of St. Louis City and County
residents experience at least one of these five
components, but low-income1
areas often face
three or more barriers.
Almost 55 percent of the population live in
areas meaningfully impacted by two or more
digital divide pillars. Digital literacy needs
permeate the region as older cohorts in all
areas drive mentorship needs.
Service affordability affects 70–75 percent of
the region, most prominently in the City and
north County.
Impact of the Digital
Divide on St. Louis City
and County
One
Two
Three
Four
Divide Dimensions Count
1
Low-income households are defined as households with an average income of $35,000 and below
4. 3
The St. Louis Landscape
and the Five Key Components
Based on the five key components of the digital divide, it is apparent that income-related issues
such as service and device affordability are key drivers of the digital divide for most residents in
St. Louis.
Poverty is particularly pervasive in north St. Louis City and areas of north County.
•
160,000 people in St. Louis City and County live below the poverty line
•
22 percent of St. Louis City residents live below the poverty line, with some
neighborhoods in north City near or above 50 percent and some portions of north
County as high as 44 percent
•
These neighborhoods are disproportionately Black and have suffered historically
from disinvestment
Pervasive Poverty Areas of St. Louis City and County
Low income areas often face three or more of the five
key components as barriers.
Household Income2
$25k
$50k
$145k+
2
Median household income of census places in St. Louis County
5. 4
1 Coverage: Fiber internet is currently the best available way to ensure a “future-
proof” connection, but approximately 250,000 to 300,000 households in St. Louis City
and County lack access to fiber internet and will require upgrades to ensure long-
term connectivity. Fiber internet availability is limited in the most economically
disadvantaged areas of the region.
Quality: Coverage and HSBB quality generally exists in St. Louis. However, large portions
of the study area exhibit low levels of competitive intensity, which often negatively
impacts consumers. Speed test results imply widespread broadband service deficiencies
on a more local basis.
Service Affordability: Approximately 150,000 households in St. Louis City and County
struggle to afford HSBB. The challenge is particularly acute in St. Louis City and North
County given the high proportion of low-income households.
Device Affordability: One quarter of households in the City do not have a computer, or
only have a smartphone. In some north City neighborhoods, such as Walnut Park, this
rate exceeds 30 percent. Approximately 90,000 households across the City and County
are unable to afford adequate devices. These households are also the most likely to need
broadband service subsidies
Digital Literacy and Mentoring: Students, their families, and an estimated 100,000
adults need some form of digital literacy or mentorship engagement. Challenges in
digital literacy are more common among older individuals. A recent Pew survey3
indicates that around 60 percent of individuals aged 75 or older have low tech readiness,
and 20 percent have little or no confidence in their ability to use the internet to complete
online tasks.
2
3
4
5
Household Income vs. Device Deficit and Race
60%
48%
36%
24%
12%
54%
42%
30%
18%
6%
0%
$0K $30K
Median Household Income
Percent
of
Households
with
no
Computer
$60K
$10K $40K $70K
$20K $50K $80K
Income levels drop as device deficits (and minority population)
generally increase.
Pew survey4
results indicate a 10-15 percent gap for
ownership of computers between white respondents
and Hispanic and Black respondents, indicating that
device deficits are likely concentrated among
minority populations in the study area.
Percent Minority Population
25% 100%
Analysis of the St. Louis Landscape
3
“The Internet and the Pandemic.” Pew Research Center, September 1, 2021.
4
“Home Broadband Adoption, Computer Ownership Vary by Race, Ethnicity in the U.S.” Pew Research Center, September 10, 2021.
6. 5
Finding a solution to the digital divide challenge starts with a true understanding of our region’s
needs, as well as sourcing the tools and services necessary to meet those needs.
Addressing the Challenge
This report serves as an inventory of those needs and reflects a snapshot in time to help our
civic, business, and philanthropic leaders prepare a framework to address these issues.
•
Invest in infrastructure: Improve quality and affordability of HSBB by investing in
low-cost internet service. It is estimated that 150,000 households will need subsidies and
other support to spur home broadband adoption.
• Provide affordable devices: Approximately 90,000 households cannot afford
adequate devices.
• Facilitate technical support and training: An estimated 100,000 adults will benefit from
technical support and training. In addition, many are likely to need help understanding
the process and products needed to use internet services and make purchases. Public
libraries or local community organizations are likely best suited to coordinate device
and literacy initiatives including local outreach, distribution, and tutoring.
This report is intended to serve as a resource while a framework of action is prepared that will
equip our neighbors with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in a wired world.
Preliminary estimates have been made to help assess the scope of the challenge.
These estimates indicate the following investments will be needed:
• One-time infrastructure investment: $200 to $300 million
•
Annual cost of affordable household broadband service subsidies: $45 to $50 million
• Initial cost of devices: $20 to $30 million
Community
Needs
Help Most
Vulnerable
Stakeholder
Input
Data and
Analytics
Available
Funding
Closing the
Gap
7. 6
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides funding to address connectivity,
affordability, and literacy challenges. There are significant opportunities for new infrastructure
investment and establishing long-term solutions to affordability and literacy constraints.
•
Missouri will receive approximately $681 million to invest in broadband for
underserved communities.5
•
Under the IIJA Digital Equity Initiative, approximately $51 million is available to
help fund digital literacy mentoring. Strategic deployment of this funding will create
opportunities for the City and County to address underserved populations and bridge
affordability and literacy gaps.
•
The Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) of 2020
and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) established a variety of initiatives to
enhance connectivity, relieve affordability concerns through additional funding for
legacy programs, and support certain telehealth and internet security challenges.
The state of Missouri has committed to deploying $400 million in ARPA funds for
broadband initiatives.
•
Longstanding federally funded programs such as Lifeline, E-Rate, and the Emergency
Broadband Benefit Program can lessen the affordability issue.
Funding Opportunities
B
e
s
t
U
s
e
A
n
a
l
y
s
i
s
Considerations
What funds are available,
who is eligible to receive
them, and what is the
most valuable way to
deploy them?
Stakeholder Decisions
Solutions
Existing and new federal
programs provide a
unique opportunity to
address identified gaps—a
collaborative approach will
be necessary
Inputs
Legacy federal
subsidy programs,
recently enacted
federal programs,
and philanthropic
and local
resources
Desired
Outcomes
Near- and long-
term connectivity,
devices, and
digital literacy
Matching available tools, like federal programs and local resources, to the needs assessment
will allow St. Louis to implement solutions to pursue desired connectivity outcomes.
5
An additional $281 million may be available to help households with service affordability and/or free devices
8. 7
This report provides a detailed and actionable assessment of the digital landscape in St. Louis
City and County.
We understand the impact of the digital divide on broad swaths of the St. Louis population, and
recognize that it is most acutely felt by low-income and minority communities.
This assessment positions St. Louis to act efficiently and effectively. It allows us to understand
the breadth and depth of the digital divide, and establishes the necessary framework to catapult
St. Louis as a national leader in digital equity.
Coordination and investment from local leaders and unprecedented federal funding
uniquely positions St. Louis to address the digital divide and ensure that all St. Louisans have
the opportunity to thrive in an increasingly digital society.
For More Information:
Dave Leipholtz
Executive Director
Center for Civic Research and Innovation
DLeipholtz@stlgives.org
(314) 503-7893
Conclusion
Key Takeaways
The St. Louis Digital Divide report was conducted by Ernst Young in collaboration with the Center for Civic Research and
Innovation with funding from the Boniface Foundation, Missouri Foundation for Health, NISA Charitable Fund, Regional Business
Council, St. Louis Community Foundation, St. Louis Public Schools Foundation, St. Louis Regional Response Fund,
and The Opportunity Trust.
Coordination of civic, business, and
philanthropic leaders in St. Louis will be key
to maximizing the opportunity for funding.