Current Situation
Around the world, and within major urban areas, there are significant pockets of underserved populations that do not have access to the Internet. As more governments services are provided digitally, as more jobs require digital profiles and resumes, and as more learning happens online and via digital mediums, this lack of access restricts these groups of people from upward mobility.
Goals and Objectives
To increase the availability of affordable, high-speed internet access for all communities in a city, with a particular focus on underserved areas, and ultimately, increase internet usage in homes and in those communities.
Technology Deployed
Public WiFi, free WiFi hotspot, municipal broadband, and fiber-to-the-home initiatives that may be subsidized
Use Case Summary
Smart communities work to provide affordable, high-speed internet access for all residents, focusing on bringing off-line communities online and increasing internet usage. These initiatives focus on providing public WiFi, free WiFi hotspots, and municipal broadband initiatives to underserved urban areas. This is closely linked with digital literacy.