NC LITE-UP

Background

Thirty-six percent of Americans cite cost as the predominate factor as to why they do not have broadband access in their homes. (1) This finding is mirrored in North Carolina, where 32% of households with annual incomes of less than $25,000 do not have a computer or Internet access in their homes and 21% do not have access anywhere. This means that many individuals are not able to access educational, job training, health and government services that are increasingly available online.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) administers a Lifeline Linkup program that subsidizes the cost of basic telephone service and equipment for qualifying low-income households. It is now considering a model for delivering Internet resources to disadvantaged homes. But a comprehensive solution to bringing these individuals online will require more than these subsidies. Two thirds of North Carolinians surveyed stated that there are insufficient resources in their communities to help them learn how to get the most benefit from the Internet.

The NC LITE-UP (Linking Internet To Economically Underprivileged People) program will consist of developing, deploying and testing a model that will adapt portions of the FCC's Lifeline Linkup program and deliver necessary outreach and digital literacy training to qualifying individuals.

Pilot Study

This program will target 180 disadvantaged households in at least two select counties with documented need for assistance to obtain and use broadband Internet in their homes. Households will be randomly assigned to one of three participation levels (2) that have varied levels of training and Internet subsidy costs. All participating households will receive a refurbished computer and new printer. All households will also have access to a technical help desk during year one. Results will be rigorously monitored to establish a best-practice approach and determine whether the pilot can be transitioned into a statewide and/or national initiative.

NC LITE-UP is led by an advisory board that provides guidance on selecting pilot counties.

(1) Broadband Adoption and Use in America, by John B. Horrigan, Ph.D., OBI Working Paper Series No. 1.

(2) Participation Levels

1 - 100% of cost, 30 households (Training), 30 households (No Training)
2 - 50% of cost, 30 households (Training), 30 households (No Training)
3 - No subsidy, 30 households (Training), 30 households (No Training)