From South Dakota’s draft Digital Opportunity Plan (September 2023)
Ensure every citizen will have access to affordable, future-proof, high-speed internet, along with the means to utilize it safely and competently.
South Dakota aspires to provide universal access for every resident, business, and community anchor institution at a minimum of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload and wants to go one step further and increase download speeds to 250 Mbps for as many residents as possible. South Dakota aspires to achieve 500 Mbps symmetrical and beyond as its standard for 2028, a goal the state has begun to outline in its broadband grant programs. It is important that the deployment of broadband is ‘future-proof’ so that investments being made today remain relevant in the foreseeable future.
Historically, it has been harder to expand infrastructure into rural parts of the state due to a lower population density. This digital divide also extends to low-income populations that have struggled to afford high costs of broadband. It is South Dakota’s mission to support all eight covered populations in their pursuit to meaningfully access high-speed internet. Remaining disconnected from the internet and its associated benefits is taking a toll on covered populations and may lead to further marginalization of the communities that are not part of the digital world. Not only do members of covered populations need to be connected to broadband, but they also need to be provided access to the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.
South Dakotans should be able to participate and feel confident in using the internet to engage in society, including for building their livelihood, socially connecting with their community or family, or for accessing public or private services, including education, workforce, and healthcare. By increasing access to these services, all citizens, especially those in covered populations, are able to interact in a more equitable fashion, removing barriers that previously would have prevented them from doing so. If they need help to learn how to use their devices or basic computer-based and internet-based applications, they should be able to access that help at no or little additional cost, at a location close to their home. Supporting the meaningful use of the internet is an investment in a stronger economy for the state, and an improved and better-connected way of life for South Dakotans.
With a goal to build a stronger economy and connect communities both large and small, it is essential South Dakotans have access to educational, workforce development, and health care opportunities without having to leave the small-town way of life they have chosen.
Education has assumed an important role to help citizens pursue their passion and purpose. Access to high quality school and college education can not only build a knowledge base for students that helps them in joining the workforce, but it can also lead to upward social mobility for the entire household, especially through an increased earning potential. Students who pursue a degree from one of South Dakota’s public institutions can expect to increase their lifetime earnings by as much as $217,000, which is double that of the national return on investment, according to a recent study.
South Dakota may be geographically large, but it has a relatively small population spread across the state. Distance can prove to be a barrier to accessing institutions of education that may be located hundreds of miles away from some communities. Extreme weather conditions in the winter, too, have the potential to derail classroom education. Online learning has emerged as a useful means to overcome some of these challenges faced by South Dakotans to access the education and the credentials they need.
The digital divide results in unequal access to online resources and digital skills training for members of the workforce as well. Members from various covered populations may suffer from marginalization because of the lack of access to higher-paying jobs. Investment in digital infrastructure and digital skills is a way to invest in the South Dakota workforce. Currently, unemployment in South Dakota has remained one of the lowest in the country—1.9% as of July 2023. To build an even stronger economy, South Dakota needs to find innovative means to train a more competitive workforce that can take up the available jobs, increase productivity and be equipped to climbing up their career ladders. The NTIA notes that 77% of all jobs require at least some technology skills, and 48% of hiring managers say candidates lack the skills needed to fill open jobs.4 Mitigating the digital divide can support workforce development and growth.
Having equitable access to the internet can impact the provision of healthcare services and consequently, healthcare outcomes, in a variety of ways. As an expansive, largely rural state, connecting people with world class healthcare without forcing them to travel long distances, or even worse, foregoing medical treatment, can be achieved effectively through expanded telehealth capabilities. As technology in the healthcare industry evolves, it is critical that all residents not only have access to broadband, but are also equipped with the digital skills needed to access telehealth platforms, schedule appointments, attend telehealth appointments, etc. Healthier citizens also result in lower healthcare costs not just for households, but for the healthcare system as a whole.
The State sees the visions for both the BEAD and Digital Opportunity plans as a unifying view for what can be accomplished. Through ConnectSD and the BEAD Plan’s implementation, South Dakota is committed to ensuring every resident, business, and community anchor institution has access to sustainable high-speed internet. The Digital Opportunity Plan builds on the BEAD Plan’s vision by providing citizens the ability to access and effectively utilize high-speed internet. Achieving success may look different in different communities and regions of the State, but it will involve addressing the needs of the State’s covered populations in a manner that will have lasting impacts.