Voqal Supports Senate’s Historic Investment in Broadband
Today, the U.S. Senate passed a long-overdue infrastructure bill that includes a historic investment in broadband deployment, affordability, access, and equity. The $65 billion broadband section contains four sections to tackle broadband access and adoption problem. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Grant Program ($42.45 billion) This provision creates a $42.45 billion matching grant program for
Mobile Citizen Spotlight: Leveraging Library Lending Programs to Bridge the Digital Divide
Voqal’s mission is to advance social equity by creating an educated and engaged public. A key element of realizing this goal is making sure everyone has access to the affordable, high-speed internet that is increasingly important to participate in our society. That’s why Voqal project, Mobile Citizen exists. It provides low-cost mobile internet with unlimited
Voqal Joins 170 Organizations Urging Congress to Invest in Meaningful Broadband Deployment
Last week, Voqal joined over 170 organizations asking Congress to invest in universal, future-proof broadband. According to the letter: “It is time to act to end the digital divide forever by passing a national broadband infrastructure program that will deliver universal, affordable, 21st century ready access.” “All across the nation, gaps in accessible and affordable
U.S. Senators Reintroduce the Digital Equity Act
Last week, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Rob Portman (D-Ohio), and Angus King (R-Maine) reintroduced the Digital Equity Act. The Digital Equity Act of 2021 strengthens federal support for efforts to help ensure students, families, and workers have the information technology capacity needed to fully participate in society. This legislation would achieve this goal by
Mobile Citizen Spotlight: Connecting Students for Remote Learning
Voqal realizes that advancing social equity is an immense undertaking. That is why we take multiple approaches to realize our goal of a more socially equitable world for all. One of those approaches, is Voqal project, Mobile Citizen. It provides low-cost mobile internet with unlimited data plans exclusively to nonprofit organizations, educational entities, and social
Mobile Citizen Featured in United Nations Report on Addressing Digital Inequality
One of Voqal’s flagship projects, Mobile Citizen, is featured in a recent report issued by the United Nations Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development (formerly known as the United Nations Broadband Commission for Digital Development). The report, titled The State of Broadband 2020: Tackling digital inequalities: A decade for action, “provides an important venue to
Celebrate NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Week
Voqal is excited to join our friends at National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) in celebrating Digital Inclusion Week 2020. Digital Inclusion Week, which takes place October 5 – 9, raises awareness of solutions addressing home internet access, personal devices, and local technology training and support programs. NDIA provides many ways you can engage with this
How Increasing Broadband Competition Can Address the Adoption Gap
In his latest article, Voqal’s director of telecommunications strategy, Mark Colwell, shares how increased broadband competition can address the adoption gap and reduce the digital divide. Never has the need for closing the digital divide received more attention than in recent months, as Americans have relied more than ever on broadband for work, school, entertainment,
Coalition Makes Final Push to Extend Rural Tribal Priority Window
Earlier this week, a group of organizations including the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), AMERIND Risk Management Corp., the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association (SCTCA), and Public Knowledge filed an emergency motion for stay with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to extend the Rural Tribal Priority Window until February 1, 2021. Voqal recently joined
Voqal Joins Coalition of Groups Urging Congress to Ask the FCC to Extend the Rural Tribal Priority Window
Earlier this week, Voqal joined 15 organizations in a letter requesting that Congress ask the FCC to extend the 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window. The letter was delivered the same day that the House Energy and Commerce Committee hosted a hearing focused on ways Congress can help tribes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tribal broadband