Current State of Digital Access in Utah
The current state of digital access in Utah is characterized by a range of barriers that exist more severely for New Americans, Aging Population, families with low incomes, persons with disabilities, and rural communities. While other providers are working to assist many of these populations, CAP Utah is one of the few statewide partners that has a reach to support rural communities and residents. Efforts are being made to address these challenges through initiatives such as expanding affordable broadband programs, enhancing digital literacy training, and increasing digital navigators. CAP Utah and its partners uniquely focus on the whole family approach with wrap around services.
Utah's digital access ecosystem involves stakeholders working towards promoting digital inclusion, and the state is actively working to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusivity in digital access. CAP Utah is one of the core partners behind this effort. Looking at the data Salt Lake County, Utah 5.8 percent of people don’t have internet connection vs a more rural county Duchesne County where 12.4 percent of people don’t have internet connection. Additionally, during Covid-19 pandemic when the need for reliable and affordable internet increase, it the digital divide between Utah’s urban population and communities increased. For example, Salt Lake County had almost 3 times the ACP Enrollment rate than the rest of Utah.
Utah’s rural communities have a need for internet access and CAP Utah is aiming to help fulfill that need. Additionally, there are many areas in rural Utah where there are no digital navigators and refurbished device distribution does not take place. CAP Utah is working as a statewide coalition partner to close these service gaps. The biggest gap within the organization is staffing and credentials. There is not a full-time specialist with intensive training on digital equity.
U.S Census Data on Digital Access -2022
| Percentage of people that don’t have access to computers? | 4.7 |
|---|---|
| Percentage of households not using the internet | 15.6 |
| Percentage of households lacking fixed broadband availability? | 2.9 |
| Percentage not using a PC or Tablet Computer | 27.5 |
| Percent of households with access to smartphones | 93.21 |
| Unconnected students in Utah | 78,742 |
| Subscribers of ACP in Utah in march 2024 | 29,493 |
| people who qualify in march 2024 | 215,642 |
| Percent of households in Utah that have no access to internet connection with less then $20,000 a year income | 18.4 |
| Percent of households in Utah that have no access to internet connection with $20,000 - $74,999 a year income | 9.5 |
| Percent of households in Utah that have no access to internet connection with $75,000 a year or more in income | 2.8 |
| Percent of households in Utah with a broadband connection that make less than $20,000 | 80.9 |
| Percent of households in Utah with a broadband connection that make between $20,000-$74,999 | 90.3 |
| Percent of households in Utah with a broadband connection that make more than $75,000 | 97 |
| Percent of households in Utah with access to more than one computer | 98.2 |
| Percent of households in Utah that have a laptop or desktop with no other computing device | 1.6 |
| Percent of households in Utah with access to a tablet with no other computing device | 0.3 |
| Percent of households in Utah with no computer | 1.8 |
| Percent of households in Utah with cellular data plan | 90 |
| Percent of households with cellular data that have no other type of internet access | 7.7 |
| Percent of households in Utah with satellite internet service | 8 |
| Percent of households in Utah with less than $20,000 that only have dial up subscription | 0.7 |
| Percent of households in Utah with income of $20,000- $74,999 that only have dial up subscription | 0.2 |
| Percent of households in Utah with income of $75,000 or more that only have dial up subscription | 0.1 |
