Councilmember María Quiñones Sánchez highlited Monday in a statement the importance of developing a long term strategy that will allow access to broadband internet because of the essential need it represents in terms of opportunities for distance learning and work expand during this ongoing pandemic.
Quiñones said that in June she passed Resolution 200402, co-sponsored by Councilmembers Johnson, Thomas, Parker, Green, Gilmore Richardson, Domb, Henon, Brooks, and Bass, to develop a process for the long term.
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The Councimember pointed out the opportunity to learn from similar experiences in order to create a new model for Philadelphia and to bridge the digital divide not only during the pandemic but permanently. “California created a sustainable fund (the California Advanced Services Fund) using a surcharge which has expanded broadband access to high need areas over the last decade, and this year Chicago announced a $50 million, four year initiative to expand broadband to 100,000 families,” Quiñones said.
The Councilwoman projects the presentation of options for equitable broadband internet access by September.
“Our fight against our intractable poverty rate depends on our ability to provide all of Philadelphia’s children with a full and meaningful education and to provide Philadelphians who want to re-train and learn new skills with access to the tools they will need,” Councilmember Sánchez stated. “We cannot do that without equitable broadband internet access, regardless of income or housing status. This is our opportunity to set a new standard.”