Increasing Internet Access

Last week, EducationSuperHighway declared “mission accomplished” with regard to the K-12 connectivity gap. It is important to understand exactly what they are claiming. Back in 2014, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved significant E-Rate changes. E-Rate is one of the four Universal Service Fund (USF) subsidy programs and is designed to connect schools and libraries

At Voqal, we believe one of the biggest challenges facing the country is the delivery of affordable broadband service to all Americans. Unfortunately, too many Americans still lack affordable access today. The focus of the so-called “digital divide” has primarily been in rural areas, where broadband simply isn’t offered by any provider. This market failure

April 11, 2019 Today, U.S. Sen. Pat Murray and Sen. Angus King introduced the Digital Equity Act. This legislation provides $1.3 billion in federal funding for digital inclusion projects. Mobile Citizen, a project of Voqal, supports this necessary legislation and thanks Murray and King for highlighting this important issue. The following statement is attributable to

February 27, 2019 The EBS-powered internet provided by Voqal project Mobile Citizen is an important resource for many that are struggling financially and can’t afford the basic internet access that would help them overcome the challenges they face. One such story is highlighted below in an excerpt from the latest case study on the Mobile

January 9, 2019   As part of our ongoing series featuring stories from Voqal’s FY 2018 Annual Report: Be Nimble, we take a look at Voqal’s efforts to provide valuable internet access to those directly affected by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. Many Americans live in coastal areas that are swept by hurricanes every single year.

December 6, 2018 A valued partner of Mobile Citizen (and by extension Voqal), NTEN supports organizations by convening the nonprofit community, offering professional credentials and training and facilitating an open exchange of ideas. Voqal values the opportunities that arise from a vibrant and collaborative nonprofit community. With that idea in mind, here are two excellent

April 17, 2018 Mobile Citizen, an initiative of Voqal, is excited to take an active role in this year’s NDIA Net Inclusion conference April 17-19 in Cleveland. On Wednesday, Mobile Citizen chief business development executive, Cassie Bair will speak on a panel focused on creating and managing digital inclusion partnerships. The panel is being moderated by

April 13, 2018 At today’s NTEN Nonprofit Technology Conference, Mobile Citizen’s chief business development executive, Cassie Bair is featured on a panel sharing the findings from the recent Digital Adoption Survey conducted by NTEN and Mobile Citizen. Other panelists include Demetrius Williams of Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation, Lindsey Sipe, Technology Facilitator at Project L.I.F.T and

January 18, 2018  Voqal recently released its 2017 annual report and is starting the new year off by featuring some of the stories from the report on our blog. This week we continue to take a look back at FY 2017 with a spotlight of one of Voqal’s initiatives focused on creating equity through access,

December 19, 2017 Mobile Citizen, a Voqal initiative,  is joining nine other public interest organizations focused on high-quality broadband for all Americans to lead a #MobileOnly Challenge in January and ask Americans to participate. The Challenge will call attention to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) proposal to lower broadband standards and consider an internet connection