San Francisco Digital Inclusion Strategy

The San Francisco Digital Inclusion Strategy (SFDIS) is a policy initiative in San Francisco, CA. It is part of TechConnect, which is an initiative aimed at achieving Mayor Gavin Newsom's campaign promise to provide all San Franciscans with free wireless internet access.

TechConnect did not originally have a digital inclusion component. After significant criticism from groups that had advanced the idea of citywide wireless, the City's Department of Telecommunications and Information Services (DTIS) created a Digital Inclusion Task Force. This Task Force created what is now apparently known as the San Francisco Digital Inclusion Strategy hopes to ease the Digital Divide in the city of San Francisco. The digital divide is the gap between those with regular, effective access to digital technologies and those without.

On the city’s website Newsom said, “We are committed to bring universal, affordable wireless broadband internet access to all San Francisco’s residents and businesses.”

The initiative will focus on underserved neighborhoods and disadvantaged residents within San Francisco. By applying national statistics to the city’s demographics, they estimate that 200,000 San Francisco residents lack access to informational technology. Today, the Internet and other digital technologies, are very important for employment, information/education, and social networking. Those without access to such technologies are at a distinct disadvantage.

There are six major aspects of the plan. The most widely publicized is the San Francisco Municipal Wireless initiative that was the cornerstone, and originally the only component of TechConnect.

According to the San Francisco Digital Inclusion Strategy Executive Summary, the six major program goals are Free and Affordable Wireless Internet Access, Computer Ownership and Basic Training Programs, Online Safety and Responsibility, Accessible Solutions, Enhanced Digital Literacy Programs, and Relevant, Multi-language Internet Content and Online Services.

The goal is to have wireless access throughout the City- in schools, homes, and businesses and on the street. Because technology hasn’t advanced too far past the wireless routers we all use in our apartments, the wireless network will consist of maybe a thousand points of connectivity to blanket the city.

In addition to a range of low cost, high bandwidth services, the San Francisco program will offer a free basic service designed to read e-mail and surf the Internet.

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