Wherever we look, the internet has managed to intertwine itself into the fabric of our society. In a few short years, the internet has managed to entirely change the world as we know it. We cannot imagine a world where the internet does not exist. However, there are still many communities and areas where the local population doesn’t have access to high-speed internet – defined as the digital divide.
The Digital Divide Explained
In the simplest terms, the digital divide is defined as the lack of proper access to an internet connection or other information and communication technologies (ICTs). These ICTs include an internet connection, computers, smart devices, and wearable technology among others. For many people, these things might be a regular occurrence but the very real existence of the digital divide proves that there is more work to be done.
The digital divide exists across the globe. In many areas of the world, people do not have a decent internet connection or the technology to use it. In this day and age with all the opportunity and tools on the internet, it feels almost illegal for someone not to have this access. With an internet connection, it is possible for someone to take advantage of:
· Educational opportunities
· The ability to make an income
· Learning more about the world around us
· Being able to communicate with friends, family, and other people.
When it comes to bridging this digital divide, Altafiber is doing a great job of it. They’ve taken real world initiatives to ensure as many people get internet access as is possible.
Get in touch with Altafiber customer service at 855-591-2568 and find out more!
Altafiber And Closing The Digital Divide
In the world of the best ISPs, Altafiber is known to be high on the list. Formerly Cincinnati Bell, the company has been around since 1873 and has a rich history of offering a variety of telecom services. The different Altafiber services include:
· Broadband internet
· Cable TV
· Home phone
While Altafiber has a significant presence in the consume broadband industry, this isn’t where they stop. Seeing as the digital divide continues to exist, Altafiber has taken a number of strides to ensure a readily available internet for the masses. In an effort to bridge the digital divide, Altafiber has committed to the cause in different ways.
How Altafiber Is Closing The Digital Divide
As an ISP, Altafiber is working to find a way for more people to get an internet connection. These include:
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
In an effort to bridge the digital divide, the government has introduced the affordable connectivity program. With this, eligible households get a $30 discount applied to their Altafiber Internet plans. To better explain this, your Altafiber internet after the discount would look something like this:
Altafiber Plans
Internet Speed
Price Per Month
ACP Discount
New Price
Fioptics 400
400 Mbps
$39.99/month
$30/mo
$9.99/mo
Fioptics 800
800 Mbps
$49.99/month
$30/mo
$19.99/mo
Fioptics 1 Gig
1 Gbps
$59.99/month
$30/mo
$29.99/mo
Fioptics 2 Gig
2 Gbps
$79.99/month
$30/mo
$59.99/mo
To benefit from the affordable connectivity program, you must be eligible for it. There is a list of requirements that need to be met. After qualifying, the ACT discount is automatically applied to the internet bill. Not many people are aware of the ACP and it can prove to be the internet saving grace that so many people need.
Altafiber ConnectED
To empower more students, the Altafiber ConnectED program exists. The purpose of this program is to provider schools and libraries with free or low-cost internet services. One of the biggest consequences of the digital divide is a lack of educational opportunities and the ConnectED program helps.
In order to be eligible for the Altafiber ConnectED program, a library or school needs to meet the following conditions:
· It must be in an area with Altafiber coverage.
· At least half of the school population quality for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Program (FRPL)
· The school or library must not have access to an affordable broadband internet connection.
Altafiber Community Wi-Fi
The Altafiber community Wi-Fi service is a network of internet hotspots that provide free Wi-Fi. If in an Altafiber coverage area, the public can use Altafiber’s top-quality internet for free. An Altafiber community Wi-Fi hotspot can be found in areas such as:
· Homeless shelters
· Public housing complexes
· Senior centers
· Libraries
· Parks and recreation centers
· Community centers
By providing their amazing internet services to the masses, Altafiber is allowing more people to come online. For students wanting to take a class or a young entrepreneur wanting to start an online business, these sorts of hotspots could make all the difference in the world.
The Technology Bridging The Digital Divide
To better understand how Altafiber is doing all of this, lets take a look at the technology they use. Being one of the best ISPs in the US, it comes as no surprise that you get the best in technology. When talking about the technology that Altafiber fiber is using to bridge the digital divide, we have a few:
Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH)
Fiber optic cables are the future of internet transmission. Using fiber optic cables, Altafiber uses FTTH to ensure every customer gets the internet they’ve signed up for. Compared to traditional copper cables, fiber optic cables have close to no loss in bandwidth and also have low-to-no latency. Using this technology, Altafiber is able to get the best possible internet to both urban and rural areas at the same time.
5G
The latest in cellular technology, 5G has speeds that are much higher than 4G while also offering lower latency. Altafiber is expanding its 5G network to cover more areas so everyone can benefit from this technology. Using 5G, low income households can stay connected on the go or even use their mobile devices for internet access. This is a huge upgrade on existing conditions.
Wi-Fi 6
This is the latest standard in Wi-Fi technology with drastically improved performance, faster internet speeds, and better battery life for devices. As Altafiber continues to implement Wi-Fi 6 across the board, we will see that more public Wi-Fi networks will have better performance. This allows people using the internet in public spaces to have a smooth, stable, and secure stream of bandwidth available to them.
Final Thoughts
The digital divide is a real world problem that has held back many people from accessing the internet. Luckily, there are active efforts being made to ensure that as many people get online as is possible. Altafiber internet is some of the best internet for your home or business. It has high speeds, reliable connections, and uses the latest technology. With Altafiber working to bridge the digital divide, we can hope to see more people coming online in the future!
If you’re considering signing up for an Altafiber internet plan, get in touch with Altafiber customer service right away!
