Overview
Availability of broadband infrastructure alone is not enough to solve the digital divide for all Wisconsin residents. Targeted strategies for internet adoption, device access, digital literacy and affordable service are critical to make broadband and technology available for all.
The Wisconsin Broadband Office works to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the underrepresented, have access to broadband technology. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning and access to essential services.
Digital Equity Work
The Wisconsin Broadband Office engages in number of activities to support digital inclusion in Wisconsin:
- Administering the Federal Digital Equity Planning and Digital Equity Capacity Grants.
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Developing, implementing, and maintaining the Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan (approved March 7, 2024).
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Coordinating Wisconsin’s Digital Equity and Inclusion Stakeholder Group.
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Sharing best practices for increasing affordability, devices, internet adoption and digital skills training.
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Hosting the
Internet Discount Finder Tool.
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Maintaining the Internet and Phone Helpline at (608) 267-3595.
Digital Equity Act Programs
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) created the Digital Equity Act (DEA) in 2021 with a goal of solving the digital divide nationwide. The DEA consists of three separate Federal planning and implementation grant programs for States to promote digital equity. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) oversees all the Federal DEA programs. For more information about the Federal Digital Equity Act grant programs, visit
Digital Equity Act Programs | BroadbandUSA (ntia.gov).
To promote internet adoption and use, the BIL identified and defined as the focus of the DEA programs eight “covered populations,” which have historically experienced lower rates of computer and internet use. For more details on the covered populations, visit the
Census Bureau’s Digital Equity Act of 2021 webpage.
The Commission is responsible for the primary administration of two of the federally-funded State Digital Equity (DE) grant programs: State Digital Equity Planning, and State Digital Equity Capacity.
State Digital Equity Planning Grant
For the State DE Planning Grant, NTIA allocated $952,197 to Wisconsin to create its state digital equity plan. Those dollars were allocated in 2022 and funded comprehensive and robust outreach, local coordination, and data collection on Wisconsin’ broadband access, affordability, and adoption. For more information see Internet for All Planning Activities.
Those outreach activities, surveys, and interview efforts informed and shaped the Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan (WI DE Plan), which was approved by the Commission in November 2023, and approved by NTIA on March 7, 2024.
Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan
State Digital Equity Capacity Grant
The NTIA’s State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program is a formula grant intended for States to implement digital equity and inclusion activities consistent with their State Digital Equity Plan.
NTIA allocated $13,248,029 to Wisconsin in 2024 to implement goals in the WI DE Plan. The PSC will implement these goals through its
WI Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (WI DEC), which was
approved by NTIA on November 1, 2024.
The WI DEC Grant Program will be administered by the Commission in
Docket 5-DEC-2025.
Get Updates
For regular email updates on the Commission’s broadband and digital equity work, please subscribe to the
Wisconsin Broadband Office eNewsletter.