Louisiana’s digital divide: The Bayou State ranks 47th for broadband access. See parish data. – The Advocate

Report on Broadband Access in Louisiana and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

State-Level Analysis and National Context

A 2023 assessment of broadband internet access reveals significant challenges for Louisiana in meeting key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). With only 85% of households reporting broadband access, Louisiana falls below the national average of 90% and ranks fourth-lowest in the United States. This digital divide indicates a critical infrastructure gap that impedes equitable development and participation in the digital economy.

The state’s performance is situated among other states facing similar challenges to providing universal and affordable internet access, a core target of SDG 9.

• Mississippi: 82% access (lowest in the U.S.)
• New Mexico: 84% access
• West Virginia: 84% access
• Louisiana: 85% access

Intra-State Disparities: A Challenge to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The digital divide is not only a state-versus-nation issue but also a significant source of inequality within Louisiana itself. Data at the parish level highlights stark disparities, directly undermining the objective of SDG 10 to reduce inequality within and among countries. While a few parishes exceed the national average, many rural areas lag significantly, limiting residents’ access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Parishes with the Lowest Broadband Access

The following parishes demonstrate the most severe infrastructure and access deficits, with household access rates far below state and national averages:

• Claiborne Parish: 51%
• Webster Parish: 61%
• West Carroll Parish: 64%
• Bienville, Tensas, and Union Parishes: 65%
• East Carroll Parish: 67%
• Richland and St. Helena Parishes: 68%
• Franklin Parish: 69%

Parishes with the Highest Broadband Access

In contrast, a small number of parishes exhibit robust connectivity, aligning more closely with national development standards:

• St. Charles and St. Tammany Parishes: 93%
• Ascension, Lafayette, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge Parishes: 91%
• East Baton Rouge Parish: 90%
• Plaquemines, St. John the Baptist, and Vermilion Parishes: 89%

Barriers to Access and Broader SDG Implications

The reported data measures household subscription at any speed and does not differentiate based on connection quality, which is critical for modern applications. Furthermore, the data does not specify the root causes for lack of access, which can include insufficient infrastructure, prohibitive costs, or lack of personal interest. These barriers have cross-cutting implications for a range of SDGs.

1. SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): The primary barrier is often a lack of physical infrastructure, a direct challenge to Target 9.c, which calls for universal and affordable access to information and communications technology.
2. SDG 4 (Quality Education): Without reliable and fast internet, students cannot fully participate in virtual classes or access online educational resources, exacerbating educational disparities.
3. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Limited broadband access restricts opportunities for remote work, digital entrepreneurship, and participation in the modern economy, hindering economic growth.
4. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The inability to access telehealth services due to poor connectivity disproportionately affects rural and underserved communities.

Addressing the digital divide in Louisiana is therefore not merely a technological issue but a fundamental requirement for achieving inclusive and sustainable development across the state.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

Detailed Explanations:

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The article’s central theme is the lack of broadband internet infrastructure in Louisiana. It discusses the “percentage of households with a broadband internet connection,” which is a direct measure of infrastructure access. The mention of “insufficient infrastructure” as a barrier reinforces this connection.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article highlights significant inequalities in broadband access. It shows disparities between Louisiana (85%) and the U.S. national average (90%), as well as stark differences within the state, from parishes with high access like St. Charles (93%) to those with very low access like Claiborne Parish (51%). This points to a digital divide that creates and exacerbates social and economic inequalities.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article explicitly connects broadband access to education by mentioning that sufficient internet speed is needed for “attending virtual classes.” The lack of adequate access in many parishes implies a barrier to quality education and remote learning opportunities for residents in those areas.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Detailed Explanations:

1. Target 9.c: “Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet…” The entire article is an analysis of this target in the context of Louisiana. It measures the current state of internet access and discusses barriers such as “cost,” which directly relates to the goal of affordability and universality.
2. Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all…” Access to the internet is a critical tool for modern social and economic inclusion. The article’s data, showing that nearly half the households in Claiborne Parish (51%) lack broadband, indicates that a significant portion of the population is excluded from the opportunities that digital access provides, such as remote education (“virtual classes”) and other services.
3. Target 4.a: “Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.” In the modern era, an “effective learning environment” includes the digital infrastructure necessary for remote and hybrid education. The article’s point that broadband is needed for “attending virtual classes” shows that the lack of this infrastructure in certain parishes prevents the creation of inclusive and effective learning environments for all students.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Detailed Explanations:

• Percentage of households with a broadband internet connection: This is a direct indicator used throughout the article to measure access. It provides specific data points for the state of Louisiana (85%), the U.S. average (90%), and individual parishes (e.g., Claiborne Parish at 51%, St. Charles Parish at 93%). This indicator directly measures progress towards Target 9.c.
• Disparity in broadband access rates: The gap between the highest-performing parishes (93%) and the lowest-performing ones (51%), as well as the gap between the state and national average, serves as an indicator for Target 10.2 (Reduced Inequalities). A reduction in this gap would indicate progress.
• Sufficiency of internet speed for specific activities: The article implies an indicator by stating, “not all broadband is fast enough to meet the needs of all households,” and specifically mentions “attending virtual classes.” While it does not provide data for this, it identifies the need for an indicator that measures not just access, but the quality and speed of that access, which is relevant for measuring the effectiveness of learning environments (Target 4.a).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theadvocate.com