Millions of Americans set to lose discounted internet access this week
Millions of Americans set to lose discounted internet access this week Scripps News
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Affordable Connectivity Program
Introduction
Millions of low-income families rely on subsidized internet access to afford high-speed connections. However, this week, many could lose this crucial program, jeopardizing their ability to stay connected.
The Affordable Connectivity Program
Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission announced that the Affordable Connectivity Program will be out of money by the end of April. The program, launched on Dec. 31, 2021, under President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, helps 23 million households in the U.S. save between $30 and $75 on their monthly internet bills, and some eligible households even received up to $100 to buy a computer or tablet. If this program ends, chances are many may not be able to afford internet access or devices.
Current Funding Situation
While the White House asked Congress for an extra $6 billion to keep the program until at least the end of this year, Congress has yet to approve that funding.
Impact on Communities
“Almost half of the households who participate are military households, roughly a quarter are African American, roughly a quarter are Latino and all of them are in dire need of making sure that they have a tool, high-speed internet, that enables them to get access to health care, enables their kids to go to school, enables them if they’re small business owners to grow that business,” said Tom Perez, the director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, when the FCC first announced it was running out of funds.
Benefits and Reach
According to the White House, this program also benefits 4 million seniors and 10 million Americans over the age of 50 every month, while also providing enhanced subsidies to 320,000 households in tribal lands, where internet costs are usually higher. Overall, around 60 million individuals in the U.S. will feel the impact once the program ends on April 30, according to CNN.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable | – |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 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 | – |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.b: Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women | – |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | 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 | – |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | – |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.8: Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology, and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology | – |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to multiple SDGs, including addressing poverty (SDG 1), ensuring quality education (SDG 4), promoting gender equality (SDG 5), improving industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9), reducing inequalities (SDG 10), and fostering partnerships for sustainable development (SDG 17).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable (SDG 1)
- 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 (SDG 4)
- Target 5.b: Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women (SDG 5)
- 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 (SDG 9)
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status (SDG 10)
- Target 17.8: Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology, and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology (SDG 17)
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are related to implementing social protection systems for the poor and vulnerable (Target 1.3), increasing relevant skills for employment (Target 4.4), enhancing the use of technology for women’s empowerment (Target 5.b), increasing access to affordable internet (Target 9.c), promoting social inclusion (Target 10.2), and operationalizing technology banks for development (Target 17.8).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
Note: The lack of specific indicators mentioned in the article does not mean that progress cannot be measured. It may require additional data and research to identify relevant indicators for measuring progress towards the identified targets.
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: scrippsnews.com
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