Broadband Solutions to Empower a More Inclusive Future for All
Available Languages
Bias-Free Language
The documentation set for this product strives to use bias-free language. For the purposes of this documentation set, bias-free is defined as language that does not imply discrimination based on age, disability, gender, racial identity, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality. Exceptions may be present in the documentation due to language that is hardcoded in the user interfaces of the product software, language used based on RFP documentation, or language that is used by a referenced third-party product. Learn more about how Cisco is using Inclusive Language.
Broadband challenges
● 57% of lower-income adults have significantly less access to home broadband than others1.
● The percentage of lower income Americans relying solely on a smartphone for Internet access has more than doubled since 2013, from 12% to 27%1.
The time is now to connect the unconnected
Preparing a critical new service
More often than we realize, the need to “put food on the table” means many families must forego reliable Internet access. The pandemic amplified this issue beyond those homes, impacting businesses, governments and educators as well. In a very short time, the Internet’s ability to connect and share information went from a “must-have” to a “critical lifeline.”
Video conferencing skyrocketed as people were forced to work from home and move to online learning. Together with remote healthcare services, streaming video and real-time video conferencing, Internet traffic spiked in many regions across the globe. The pandemic, and its aftermath, clearly showed that our society now relies on the power of this connectivity to keep things running.
Overcoming digital inequity
Lack of reliable Internet service is often thought of as a rural problem. But the reality is it impacts households everywhere, including urban areas, where cost has become a barrier to entry. Today, 43% of adults that make less than 30K a year do not have broadband services at home and are 4X more likely to rely only on a smartphone for internet access[1].
Leveraging unprecedented funding
Fortunately, an unprecedented level of Federal funding is available to address the digital divide and provide more equitable Internet access. State, local and tribal governments, as well as schools and libraries, can now leverage this funding for solutions that address unserved and underserved homes and businesses.
Partnering early with a global IT leader
By partnering with Cisco, your organization can use this funding to easily deploy advanced solutions that expand connectivity in your communities. These solutions can work in both rural and urban settings to provide cost effective, secure and reliable access to the Internet. Best of all, once this common infrastructure is deployed, it can be used for a variety of services across your community.
How four solutions can help
The following solutions can help your community move another step closer to bridging the digital divide:
● Cisco Private 5GaaS (in field trials)
● Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul
● Cisco Catalyst WiFi
● Meraki Cloud Managed WiFi
When coupled with strong digital equity programs that promote adoption, they can be the first steps to building a more inclusive future for your residents.
Cisco Private 5GaaS
Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul
Cisco WiFi
● Cisco Catalyst Access Points >
● Meraki Cloud Management WiFi >
Cisco Security
The digital divide must be addressed now using these lower cost and faster time to market solutions. Cisco is a leader in wireless technologies and can help extend your network to connect the unconnected to promote a more inclusive future.
Cisco Private 5GaaS (in field trials) lets you break free of traditional proprietary limitations to realize the potential of 5G for your community.
Featuring open, cloud-native architecture, Private 5GaaS helps unify your architecture, reduce your costs, and mitigate your risk, plus offers:
● Interference free connectivity
● Dedicated clean spectrum
● Greater range of coverage
● Operational simplicity w/dashboard featuring single pane of management
● Cloud managed, high performance
Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul enables you to easily connect standard, mission-critical and real-time applications anywhere you need them.
Our ultra-reliable wireless backhaul lets you achieve fiber-like performance and ultra-low latency with the reliability of broadband, and enables:
● High speed WiFi for commuter services
● An unlicensed spectrum
● Integrated web tool for easy deployment
● Better control costs, service levels and results
Cisco WiFi equips your community with modern, future-proof WiFi that lets you deliver new reliable mobile experiences to users. Cisco’s WiFi solutions can be managed locally with Cisco Catalyst wireless or as a cloud-managed solution with Meraki wireless. Both feature high efficiency with unmatched visibility into your network’s users, their devices, and applications, plus:
● Flexible deployment options (indoor and outdoor)
● WiFi 6 Support
● Ease of deployment
● Deeper visibility and advanced security
Security is a multilayered and multidimensional concept. As customers adopt new access technologies, they must also protect access to the infrastructure and not introduce a new attack vector. Cisco’s philosophy towards security enables customers with better visibility, automation, and a deeper understanding of application communications in the network, plus:
● Network segmentation
● Unified authentication and authorization policy across any access domain
● Consistent security policy across all connection types and locations
As a global leader in IT, Cisco believes that technology can bring positive change to our communities. That’s why we’re leveraging our solutions and services to help governments and educators connect, secure and automate their networks, extending connectivity to everyone regardless of geographic or economic limitations.
At Cisco, we’re helping the public sector optimize application experiences for all users while increasing transparency and engagement with their residents. Plus we’re guiding the return to work with secure Internet access and safer workplaces. And it’s all protected by industry-leading end- to-end security.
As a proven and reliable partner for public sector organizations like yours, Cisco is committed to overcoming the digital divide to power a more inclusive future for all.
To learn more, visit: Cisco.com
Broadband availability, affordability, and adoption
Federal grants to increase broadband availability and affordability for state/local governments, Tribal governments, schools and libraries have been made available through the U.S. Federal government. These include:
● Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD)
● IIJA Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program
● State Digital Equity Capacity Grant
● Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program
● State Digital Equity Planning
● ARPA Capital Projects Fund
● FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund
● FCC Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grant Program
● FCC COVID-19 Telehealth Program
● FCC Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program
● Economic Adjustment Assistance
● Community Reinvestment Act
● USAC E-rate Program
Federal Grants for ISPs
● USAC Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)*
● CC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF)
● USDA ReConnect Program
State broadband plans and grants
Every state must submit to the NTIA by Sept 30, 2023 a plan for distribution of BEAD allocations.
Many states across the U.S. are also offering state-based grants to local and tribal governments.. Federal and state grants are awarded to local governments, public-private partnerships, non-profits and Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Please visit Broadband USA to see funding opportunities in your state or contact your Cisco Public Funding advisor in the Cisco Public Funding Office (add link):
Take your first steps to an inclusive future today
Cisco solutions to extend broadband access are easy to deploy and manage, plus provide secure and reliable connectivity for urban and rural areas alike.
Join us in creating a more inclusive future by visiting Cisco.com/go/digitaldivide.