Millions in CA could lose internet access at the end of this month: Here’s who it will impact most
Affordable Connectivity Program: Millions of Californians could lose internet access at the end of this month KGO-TV
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Sustainable Development Goals and the Affordable Connectivity Program
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) —
The federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program has helped connect millions of people to the internet for the past three years.
Funding for the program is set to run out at the end of April.
The subsidies it provides to low-income households could disappear.
“The program should not go away. The program should stay and there are thousands of reasons to keep it,” said Ahmed Banafa.
Importance of Internet Access and the SDGs
Banafa is a professor and technology expert at San Jose State University.
He says having internet access is critical to being able to function in society.
Of the millions of Californians that could be impacted, students might face one of the biggest burdens.
At Oakland Unified School District, officials tell us they’ve benefitted greatly from this program.
“We went from 12% of our kids having access at home to 98%. And a big part of that was the ACP,” said John Sasaki.
Impact on Education and the SDGs
Sasaki is a spokesperson for the district.
He tells ABC7 News, the program was critical to allowing OUSD students access to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of those students was senior Allen Clayborn.
“At home sometimes, the internet isn’t the best and it only works in certain spaces. So when I received the hotspot from the school it was useful because I was able to complete my work in places where I may not have been able to prior,” Clayborn said.
Without the ACP, Sasaki worries students’ ability to connect to the internet outside the classroom will suffer.
“A computer, internet access, all that is just the same kind of tool as having a book, having paper, having a pencil. You really can’t access your education fully unless you have the ability to get on the internet,” he said.
Investment in the Future and the SDGs
Banafa says this program is worth the money for all of us.
“I think this is an investment in the future. Because now, you are opening the door for everybody, whether they have money or not so that they have access to this kind of education.”
If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 4: Quality Education
- Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
- Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill.
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SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020.
- Indicator 9.c.1: Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology.
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SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
- Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms.
- Indicator 17.6.2: Number of science and/or technology cooperation agreements and programmes between countries, by type of cooperation.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship. | Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020. | Indicator 9.c.1: Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms. | Indicator 17.6.2: Number of science and/or technology cooperation agreements and programmes between countries, by type of cooperation. |
Analysis
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The main SDGs addressed are:
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article emphasizes the importance of internet access for students and their ability to participate in remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The article discusses the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides subsidies to low-income households for internet access. This program contributes to SDG 9, which focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The article mentions the need for cooperation and partnerships to enhance access to technology and innovation. This relates to SDG 17, which emphasizes the importance of global partnerships to achieve the sustainable development goals.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under these SDGs can be identified:
Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
This target is relevant because internet access is crucial for acquiring relevant skills in today’s digital world.
Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020.
This target is directly addressed by the Affordable Connectivity Program, which aims to provide affordable internet access to low-income households.
Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms.
This target highlights the importance of cooperation and knowledge sharing in the field of technology and innovation, which is relevant to the article’s discussion on the need for partnerships to ensure internet access for all.
The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill.
This indicator can be used to measure the extent to which youth and adults have acquired ICT skills, which are crucial for employment and entrepreneurship.
Indicator 9.c.1: Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology.
This indicator can be used to assess the level of access to mobile networks, which is an important aspect of achieving universal and affordable internet access.
Indicator 17.6.2: Number of science and/or technology cooperation agreements and programmes between countries, by type of cooperation.
This indicator can be used to track the number of cooperation agreements and programs related to science and technology, which are essential for enhancing access to innovation and knowledge sharing.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: abc7news.com
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