Welcome to the inaugural 2024 Digital Inclusion Awards! We are thrilled to showcase providers who are making significant strides in closing the digital divide and share their stories and be recognized for their impactful work.
The Digital Inclusion Awards celebrate the ISPs meaningfully investing in bringing affordable, reliable, and high-quality internet access to underserved and unserved communities across the United States. These awards highlight the innovative approaches, disruptive technologies, and community-focused initiatives that are driving meaningful change and creating a more connected future for everyone in America.
Our panel of industry experts carefully reviewed each application, looking for providers that demonstrate exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact in their digital inclusion efforts.
Among the more than 2,000 ISPs in the United States, these providers stood out for their innovative approach to closing the digital divide and breaking new ground in their inclusion efforts.
Award Categories
For this award, providers were asked to detail their efforts around three core components of their work:
Affordability
With costs of living rising across the country even as the internet becomes more and more of an essential service, the ability to afford a robust broadband connection has become more important than ever before.
This award recognizes providers that are taking a proactive stance on deploying affordable, widely available internet service to community members in their markets, both large and small.
Digital Inclusion Winner, 2024: Montana Internet
Montana Internet stands out as a model of community-focused internet service, maintaining its cooperative principles for over 30 years. Their commitment to fair and consistent pricing is notable, having never raised rates and offering transparent, contract-free services. This approach is exemplified by their recent launch of a $65 Gig fiber service priced for life and the upcoming introduction of an affordable 60 Mbps wireless plan for under $30 per month.
What sets Montana Internet apart is their longtime dedication to community support. They provide free connectivity to non-profits, seniors, and veterans, and offer no-charge accounts to hundreds of community organizations in rural Montana. Their deployment of over 20 towers in small communities with fewer than ten customers demonstrates a commitment that goes beyond profit, ensuring connectivity for even the most remote areas. Additionally, their flexible approach to customer payments and the provision of free hotspots at over 120 locations further illustrate Montana Internet’s prioritization of community needs over financial gain, making them a standout example of a socially responsible internet service provider.
Digital Inclusion Winner, 2024: Cox
Cox has demonstrated a strong commitment to digital equity since 2012, offering a range of programs and initiatives designed to provide affordable connectivity to low-income households. Their Connect2Compete Internet Plan offers $9.95 per month service for families with K-12 students participating in select federal programs, while the ConnectAssist Internet Plan provides $30 per month service for low-income households and participants in various government assistance programs. These offerings are complemented by consumer-friendly benefits such as no credit checks, contracts, deposits, or rental fees, as well as free installation and access to millions of Wi-Fi hotspots.
Going beyond just providing affordable internet access, Cox has taken steps to ensure digital literacy and device accessibility. They offer the Cox Digital Academy for educational resources and partner with PCs for People to provide discounted computers. In response to the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program, Cox proactively communicated with affected customers to inform them about alternative affordable options, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining connectivity for vulnerable populations. This comprehensive approach showcases Cox’s dedication to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that all communities can participate fully in the digital world.
Digital Inclusion Winner, 2024: EarthLink
EarthLink has demonstrated a strong commitment to making high-quality internet access affordable and accessible to all, with a particular focus on low-income households, veterans, and underserved groups. Their dedication to affordability is evident through various initiatives and programs designed to alleviate the financial burden of internet connectivity.
EarthLink’s approach stands out in several ways. They participated in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and continued to extend discounts to ACP customers even after the program ended. They offer special discounts to veterans, showing appreciation for their service. EarthLink also distinguishes itself by not requiring credit checks, making their services more accessible to those who might otherwise be excluded. Additionally, they provide flexible programs allowing customers to reduce their monthly rates, catering to diverse financial situations. This comprehensive strategy to ensure affordability reflects EarthLink’s belief that internet access should be a basic right, not a privilege, and demonstrates their ongoing commitment to bridging the digital divide.
Digital Inclusion Winner, 2024: Home Telecom
Home Telecom has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to bridging the digital divide through their Community Connect Program, which they initiated in 2011. This program showcases their recognition of the critical need for affordable internet access across diverse demographics, including families with school-aged children and elderly citizens receiving Social Security Insurance.
Their approach is particularly noteworthy for its responsiveness to evolving technological needs. The Community Connect Program now offers 100 Mbps internet for just $34.95 per month, which includes free managed Wi-Fi service. This feature allows for the prioritization of devices used for essential services like telemedicine and schoolwork, addressing key concerns in modern digital households. Furthermore, Home Telecom’s participation in the FCC’s Lifeline assistance program provides an additional avenue for reducing costs, making their services even more accessible to low-income households. This comprehensive approach to affordability and accessibility reflects Home Telecom’s dedication to ensuring that all members of their community can benefit from reliable, high-speed internet access.
Digital Literacy
As the digital divide continues to impact communities, ensuring that all individuals have access to the internet and the skills to use it effectively is crucial. Digital literacy encompasses not only the availability of affordable internet but also the provision of resources, education, and support to ensure everyone can participate in the digital world.
This award recognizes providers that are making significant strides in promoting digital inclusion. These providers are dedicated to creating programs and initiatives that bridge the digital divide, ensuring that underserved and marginalized communities have the tools and opportunities to thrive in an increasingly connected society.
Digital Inclusion Winner, 2024: KWIKOM
KWIKOM has a well-established history of free installation and technical support, both in person and over the phone. Their technicians are based in Kansas, making them local and familiar to their customers.
Together with their sister company WANRack, KWIKOM is bringing high-speed internet to rural communities and school districts nationwide, areas often overlooked by other providers due to long ROI periods. KWIKOM believes in the importance of connecting underserved areas, regardless of the time it takes to see a return on investment. This mentality is entirely in line with the broader principles underpinning the current push to close the long-ignored broadband deserts that remain across the United States today.
Digital Inclusion Winner, 2024: FyberCom
FyberCom has distinguished itself through its comprehensive approach to customer support and technical education. Their commitment to customer empowerment is evident in their multifaceted support system, which addresses a wide range of customer needs.
A standout feature of FyberCom’s service is their free on-site technical support. By offering expert technicians who visit customer locations to resolve issues ranging from connection problems to internal router troubleshooting, FyberCom provides a level of personalized service that goes above and beyond industry norms. This is complemented by their comprehensive phone support, ensuring that customers have access to knowledgeable assistance at all times. These initiatives reflect FyberCom’s philosophy that an educated customer is the best customer, demonstrating their dedication not just to providing internet service, but to ensuring their customers can fully utilize and benefit from that service.
Digital Inclusion Winner, 2024: OEC Fiber
OEC Fiber demonstrates an exceptional commitment to customer service and technical support, offering comprehensive assistance at no additional cost to all subscribers. Their multi-tiered support system, which includes local tier 1 and tier 2 technical support, on-site fiber technicians, and a dedicated Network Operations Center (NOC) team, ensures that subscribers receive thorough and efficient help for any issues they may encounter.
What sets OEC Fiber apart is their integrated approach to customer education and support. They have created a wealth of resources including “how-to” videos on their YouTube channel and a detailed service booklet with links and QR codes for user guides. This proactive strategy, combined with their locally available support team, ensures that subscribers have immediate access to help while also empowering them with self-service options. By aligning their marketing and support teams under the same management, OEC Fiber maintains consistent communication and ensures that their marketing materials accurately reflect the needs and experiences of their subscribers, further enhancing the overall customer experience.
Digital Inclusion Winner, 2024: Endeavor Communications
Endeavor Communications has established itself as a leader in community-focused digital empowerment through its innovative Speed Geeks Community Help Desk program. This initiative goes beyond traditional internet service provision by offering free, expert guidance on a wide range of digital literacy topics. From basic email navigation to advanced device troubleshooting, their team of Apprentice Speed Geeks and full-time Speed Geek Techs provides comprehensive support to community members, addressing the growing need for technical proficiency in today’s digital world.
What makes this program truly exceptional is its dual impact. While providing invaluable assistance to community members, it also serves as a unique learning opportunity for student volunteers. By pairing these students with experienced technicians, Endeavor Communications is nurturing the next generation of tech-savvy individuals while simultaneously enhancing their interpersonal skills and community engagement. This approach not only bridges the digital divide but also strengthens community bonds, exemplifying Endeavor Communications’ commitment to holistic community development and digital inclusion.
Accessibility
Ensuring that every community has access to reliable broadband infrastructure is crucial in today’s digital age. Accessibility, in this context, refers to the efforts to build out broadband infrastructure to reach underserved and remote areas, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital landscape.
This award recognizes providers that are dedicated to expanding broadband infrastructure. These providers are committed to bringing high-speed internet to rural, remote, and underserved communities, overcoming geographical and economic barriers to ensure that everyone has access to the digital resources and opportunities they need.
Digital Inclusion Winner, 2024: T-Mobile
T-Mobile has demonstrated a comprehensive approach to expanding digital access and equity across the United States, with a particular focus on underserved and rural communities. T-Mobile’s extensive infrastructure buildout, particularly their 5G network deployment in small towns and rural areas, is addressing a critical gap in connectivity. By acquiring new 5G spectrum and expanding coverage across nearly 300,000 square miles, they’re bringing high-speed internet to traditionally underserved regions.
This commitment is further exemplified by their “Connecting Heroes” initiative, which provides free unlimited 5G access to first responder agencies, enhancing public safety communications nationwide.
Beyond network expansion, T-Mobile is investing in community development through programs like the T-Mobile Hometown Grants. This initiative stimulates economic vitality in rural areas and directly contributes to bridging the digital divide. Their substantial financial investments in network enhancements, coupled with these community-focused programs, showcase T-Mobile’s holistic strategy for improving digital equity. This approach not only expands internet access but also supports the overall development and connectivity of communities across the nation, positioning T-Mobile as a leader in addressing connectivity challenges through innovative and comprehensive solutions.
Digital Inclusion Winner, 2024: StratusIQ
StratusIQ has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving internet access and expanding coverage, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Their approach combines strategic infrastructure projects with innovative technologies, ensuring that more Americans have access to reliable, high-speed internet. By collaborating closely with local governments, communities, and organizations, StratusIQ has been able to tailor their expansion projects to meet specific local needs effectively.
A key highlight of StratusIQ’s efforts is their participation in the Underline Open Access Network in Colorado Springs, which has significantly improved fiber internet access for low-income urban households. Furthermore, their success in securing millions of dollars in grant funding through collaboration with the Colorado State Office of Information Technology has enabled the expansion of 10Gbps fiber internet to previously unserved rural communities. This data-driven approach to growth, coupled with their focus on leveraging partnerships and funding opportunities, showcases StratusIQ’s dedication to bridging the digital divide and fostering digital transformation across diverse communities.
Digital Inclusion Winner, 2024: BluePeak
BluePeak has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to expanding high-speed internet access across multiple states, with significant investments in broadband infrastructure. In South Dakota alone, their investment of approximately $55 million since 2021 has supported nearly 300 jobs, with plans to reach close to 200,000 homes and businesses by the end of 2025 through a total investment of about $115 million.
Further showcasing their dedication to bridging the digital divide, BluePeak is accelerating a $100 million expansion of their fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network across Oklahoma and Texas. This ambitious project aims to bring fiber connectivity to over 100,000 new homes and businesses in more than ten new markets. These strategic investments not only enhance internet access in traditionally underserved areas but also contribute significantly to local economic development and job creation. BluePeak’sefforts underscore their commitment to fostering digital inclusion and driving community growth through improved connectivity.
Digital Inclusion Winner, 2024: Conexon
Conexon has exemplified the core mission of electric cooperatives by extending their commitment beyond electricity to provide reliable broadband access to underserved rural areas. Their achievements are remarkable, bringing fiber-to-the-home access to nearly 3 million rural Americans, with over 1.1 million already connected. The scale of their infrastructure development is impressive, having designed more than 200,000 miles of fiber and building over 50,000 miles annually. Moreover, Conexon has shown exceptional skill in securing funding, amassing over $2 billion in grants and subsidies for FTTH projects – more than any other group in the country.
What sets Conexon apart is their commitment to inclusivity, partnering with cooperatives to serve 100% of co-op members, regardless of location or accessibility challenges. By bringing this critical infrastructure to rural areas, they are creating jobs, stimulating local economies, and providing access to modern technology in communities that have long been overlooked. Conexon is not just an internet service provider; they are community builders, digital pioneers, and champions of rural America. Their work embodies the spirit of cooperation and progress that has long been the hallmark of electric cooperatives.
How We Chose
Our expert panel carefully reviewed applications that ISPs submitted to us detailing their innovative efforts to narrow the digital divide, from access to affordability and literacy. The panel consisted of:
Each panelist brought years of working directly with ISPs to bear when evaluating the applications we received, selecting winners based on their outstanding performance and efforts to close the digital divide.