Broadband READY

Broadband READY Overview

Broadband Regional Engagement for Adoption + Digital Equity (READY)

Broadband READY is statewide broadband and digital equity initiative of the Illinois Broadband Lab—a collaboration between the Illinois Office of Broadband and the Illinois Innovation Network. Funding is provided to higher education institutions and qualified regional entities statewide to explore opportunities for equitable advances in the areas of broadband access, adoption, and utilization. The program is designed to identify current digital inequities as well as next steps in creating a digital inclusion ecosystem through regional collaboration, and it seeks to provide scalable solutions for broadband utilization across all 10 Illinois economic development regions.

Broadband READY follows a model of engaging universities and wider campus communities in key partnerships in service toward the goals and implementation Illinois’ State Digital Equity Plan.

Broadband READY Program Breakdown

Broadband READY initiative is two-fold:

University as READY Partner – Part 1: Digital Equity Impact Project

• Implementing a specific digital equity impact project that further specific objectives in the State Digital Equity Plan (SDEP).
• Enrolling a Graduate Assistant or other University Staff to assist with project implementation & digital navigation.

University as READY Partner – Part 2: Regional Convener-Collaborator

• Serving as a Regional Convener-Collaborator for one of Illinois’ ten economic development regions to bring key stakeholders together, create open communication channels­­­ between the Illinois Office of Broadband and Illinois Broadband Lab, and track and contribute to the region’s digital equity ecosystem.