The City of Philadelphia cited that since it started PHLConnectED in the summer of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has helped 22,500 people get online in the last two years. Thus, PHLConnectED, the city’s project to give free internet connection to pre-K–12 kids in need, has been extended for another year.
“The connections enabled by PHLConnectED have helped thousands of students take part in virtual learning, access online resources, and connect with their peers and teachers. By connecting our students’ households, we are investing in Philadelphia’s present and future,” says Mayor Jim Kenney.
He added that as Philadelphia prepares to return to school, they must ensure that students have access to the internet to get the most out of their education.
PHLConnectED and other low-cost internet access programmes were found to have a positive impact on the communities, according to Philadelphia’s 2021 report on digital access.
PHLConnectED has supported broad digital equity initiatives, in addition to funding connectivity for enrolled families, over the last year, including:
- Grants for community-based organisations and schools funded digital skill-building classes and school-based initiatives for pre-K-12 caregivers;
- A grant for outreach to encourage Philadelphia schools to spread the word about the programme; and
- Outreach on the ground with community-based organisations and Digital Navigators.
PHLConnectED and its partners will continue to provide internet access to all eligible students in grades pre-K-12.
PHLConnectED is one of the initiatives in the City of Philadelphia’s Digital Equity Plan, which aims to help the city achieve a baseline of digital equity over the next five years. Internet access, devices, and digital literacy are the three pillars of digital equity.
PHLConnectED provides eligible pre-K-12 student households in Philadelphia with free, dependable internet service until summer 2023. Participants incur no out-of-pocket costs or installation fees.
The initiative will also give training and support for digital skills. United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey manages 211 hotlines, community-based outreach, and the Digital Navigator service as the program’s Coordinating Agent.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Undersecretary of Defence for Research and Engineering, Heidi Shyu, outlined 14 priority technological areas for the Defence Department earlier this year. Among these include biotechnology, the development and storage of renewable energy, and directed energy.
However, the recently approved $54.2 billion CHIPS Act promotes another of the department’s key priorities, microelectronics.
She stated that the CHIPS Act provides both investment and incentive financing to construct semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the United States and to boost national and regional research and development operations.
In addition, the law contains substantial funding for a national research and development centre, an advanced package manufacturing programme, and up to three manufacturing institutes for semiconductor-related production in the United States. Consequently, investment in all fourteen technology fields is essential to preserving U.S. national security.
Quantum science; future-generation wireless technology; advanced materials; trusted artificial intelligence and autonomy; integrated network systems-of-systems; microelectronics; space technology; advanced computing and software; human-machine interfaces; hypersonics; and integrated sensing and cyber are the eleven other critical technology areas outlined by Defense Undersecretary Shyu.
The United States Department of Defence is strategizing on these investments and collaborating with other companies to prioritise the requirements in these emerging areas.
Deputy Secretary of Defence Dr Kathleen Hicks thanked lawmakers for their bipartisan support, which resulted in the Senate passing the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) legislation.
She stated that the CHIPS Act is critical to the national security of the United States. It will aid in the security of the semiconductor supply chain, which is the starting point for effectively competing with other countries for ground-breaking technologies.
