As a first-year at Yale University and a lifelong resident of Cheshire, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of technology in education and daily life. However, the growing digital divide in our state threatens to undermine these advances for some.
That’s why I stand in support of Senate Bill 3. The bill aims to declare broadband access a fundamental right in Connecticut but also ensures that it is affordable, equitable, and transparent for all residents of Connecticut.
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Since the pandemic began in 2020, Connecticut has risen to become one of the fastest-growing technology hubs in the country. Technology-related jobs in Connecticut rose 5.3% in 2022, significantly outpacing the national growth. This burgeoning sector has ushered in new opportunities, turning technology into a linchpin of our economy and everyday existence. Yet, as we celebrate these advancements, we must confront a glaring oversight: the digital divide.
Despite Connecticut’s recent advances, as of 2021, approximately 380,000 residents still lacked reliable, affordable, high-speed broadband internet access. Seniors and people of color were disproportionately affected, as well as rural areas and multi-unit urban homes.
My home internet in Cheshire has seen drastic changes in the past one or two years. Our previous sole internet provider held a monopoly with slow, expensive WiFi. However, thanks to increased competition from additional providers, our WiFi is now cheaper and ten times as fast.
This issue extends beyond convenience; it’s a matter of equity and justice. Broadband access is indispensable for education, health care, employment, and civic participation. In Cheshire’s public school system, I watched as digital tools like Chromebooks became essential to our education, transforming how we learn and interact. By my senior year of high school, I could get through school days with only my Chromebook. What initially began as writing down homework in an agenda and turning in paper packets the next class quickly turned into homework all being digital PDFs on Google Classroom, often assigned or updated after class. The move to digital is irreversible and essential, making the lack of access a critical barrier to success.
Drawing lessons from states like California and New York, which have recently passed laws to expand internet accessibility, Connecticut has the opportunity to lead by example with Senate Bill 3. This legislation is not merely beneficial, but necessary to ensure that no resident is left behind as we forge ahead into a digital future.
As lawmakers consider this bill, they must recognize that digital equity is as crucial as any utility service — it should be universally available, affordable, and equitable. Let’s bridge the digital divide and make sure that all Connecticut residents can thrive in the digital age.
I urge our representatives to pass Senate Bill 3 and commit to the future of our state’s economy, education, and the well-being of all its citizens.
Andrew Xu of Cheshire is a member of the Yale College Democrats.