This week in “What’s New in Digital Equity” — our weekly look at government digital equity and broadband news — we have a number of interesting items, which you can jump to with the links below:
NTIA LEAD ARIELLE ROTH CONFIRMED
Arielle Roth’s nomination to serve as the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)’s assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information was confirmed by the U.S. Senate last week.“Arielle’s distinguished career in government — including time at the FCC and working in the Senate for Chairman [Ted] Cruz — has given her the skills and knowledge to lead NTIA at this critical time,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement.

President Donald Trump nominated Roth in February. Her nomination raised concerns among some digital inclusion advocates, as she has previously criticized the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program that NTIA is charged with leading. However, she has since said that she will work with members of Congress on both sides of the political spectrum to ensure the program’s success.

A variety of digital equity stakeholder groups and organizations have released statements welcoming Roth to the new role.

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation’s Director of Broadband and Spectrum Policy Joe Kane said in a statement that Roth’s expertise will be critical to the BEAD program’s ability to address digital inequities, arguing that she will be “a key voice on spectrum policy” for the U.S.

The Wireless Infrastructure Association’s President and CEO Patrick Halley issued a statement underlining the NTIA’s role in broadband deployment, spectrum management, and permitting reform, calling Roth “the right leader for the job.”

Other groups that issued statements include NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and USTelecom. FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty, who was confirmed in June, also issued a congratulatory statement.

Notably, Roth has affirmed her commitment to following the law in the implementation of NTIA’s broadband programs, according to a statement from Benton Institute for Broadband and Society Executive Director Revati Prasad.

“We welcome this commitment and look forward to NTIA’s implementation of the Digital Equity Act (DEA), established by Congress in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as quick review and approval of states’ [BEAD] Program applications,” Prasad said.

Trump recently ended the Digital Equity Act, drastically impacting the financial landscape for digital inclusion work. Lawmakers and other advocates of digital inclusion have called for the reinstatement of the funds following the program’s termination.

NYC LAUNCHES PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME NEW YORKERS
New York City’s new “Liberty Link” pilot program will deliver Internet service to thousands of low-income New Yorkers living in affordable housing buildings. The service will be available at little or no cost to tenants, per the announcement.

The pilot is being led by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York Public Library (NYPL) system. NYPL will connect the buildings to fiber Internet, which has been deemed the “gold standard.” The program aims to build on the city’s Big Apple Connect program.

As part of this program, tenants will also have access to HPD’s Neighborhood Tech Help program, with one-on-one assistance and digital literacy training, launched in April.

NEW MEXICO LEADS IN BOOSTING BROADBAND SPEED
In other state news, New Mexico has achieved the greatest year-over-year broadband speed increase in the nation. According to Ookla Speedtest data, 20.5 percent more of its residents were accessing high-speed Internet in the last half of 2024 than in the last half of 2023.

Some areas of the state are most impacted by the improvements, with South Santa Fe seeing a 73 percent speed increase. Navajo Nation areas saw an increase between 33 and 40 percent. Rural Chaparral in Dona Ana and Otero counties saw a 52 percent increase.

Several key factors contribute to these improvements, according to the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion’s announcement: new development, prioritization of fiber technology, and increased awareness. The office expects the percentage of residents with high-speed Internet access to continue rising in the years to come.

NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION PRIORITIZES BROADBAND
The National Governors Association’s (NGA) Economic Development and Revitalization Task Force co-chairs — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster — wrote a letter to members of Congress advising them of the organization’s priorities, to inform Fiscal Year 2026’s appropriations process. NGA urged the legislative body to fund efforts supporting several key areas, one being broadband deployment and access.

“We strongly support the flexibility of federal programs to achieve the diverse needs of states as they deploy broadband capabilities,” the letter said, emphasizing the importance of Internet access for health, education and workforce.

Other gubernatorial priority areas include transportation infrastructure, water infrastructure, and Environmental Protection Agency programs.

DIGITAL LITERACY PLATFORM INTEGRATES AI
GetSetUp, a digital literacy platform that aims to equip older adults with technology skills, was recently recognized at the AI for Good Global Summit, hosted by the United Nations. The platform received the “AI for Good Award” for its use of AI technology in upskilling.

Government entities from Nebraska to New York are working with GetSetUp to help residents get online.

The platform’s AI Assistant, Helen, helps connect users with the resources that will be most beneficial to their learning. Notably, the tool aims to help address learning barriers like social isolation and chronic disease. The AI tool supports multiple languages.

“The end users know that she is an AI robot, and we’re not trying to fool anybody, but they don’t see her that way,” New York State Office for the Aging’s Acting Director Greg Olsen told Government Technology, citing a 97 percent reduction in isolation with the use of this tool.