This page has the most recent information about the Central Nebraska Regional Broadband Committee and the State’s Digital Equity Plan, CNEDD Tuesday Tech tips (you can also access ‘Tuesday Tech Tips’ by following us on Facebook), Digital Opportunity Webinars, and events that are located in your community. Stay in the know and check back often for updated information!
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Tuesday Tech Tips
"Never doubt that small group of thoughtful committed people can change their world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”-Margaret Mead
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: We would like to thank our Central Nebraska Regional Broadband Committee Members for all of the time and commitment that they are giving to develop a roadmap for our Regional Digital Equity Plan so that we may achieve digital equity for our Region!
The Digital Equity Plan will address the district’s specific needs, whether that may be:
Affordable, robust broadband internet service.
Internet-enabled devices that meet the need of users.
Access to digital skill classes and technical support.
Having Digital Equity in Nebraska and in our Central Nebraska District is important for the sustainability of our rural district and our state’s economy.
The Central Nebraska Regional Broadband Committee is made up of 15 awesome individuals throughout our region and they are listed in the graphic below.
The Central Nebraska Regional Broadband Committee had the chance to tour the Ord Township Library’s makerspace and learn about all the activities they offer to the community. One of the goals of the State of Nebraska’s Digital Equity Plan is to increase the capacity of libraries to engage in digital equity activities. Libraries can do this through makerspaces, public wi-fi and internet devices. What is your community’s library doing to engage in digital equity activities?
The Central Nebraska Regional Broadband Committee’s kick-off meeting was on Monday, February 27, 2023 in Bassett. CNEDD had a great attendance of committee members who participated in person or via zoom! The Regional Broadband Committee’s role will be to help identify barriers and be the voice of the region on Digital Equity. Their assistance on developing the plan will help shape what funding we look at and what programs we work to implement in our region.
Last week, we learned about what a “Phishing Scam” is and what they can do with your information. See Indiana Tech’s graphic below. The graphic shows you how to identify a phishing attempt through an email on a mobile device.
Have you ever received an email from Amazon stating that your prime account will be closed? Or an email from Paypal stating that your account will close soon? Some of these emails, may be a ‘Phishing Scam’ attempt.
According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), “Phishing attacks use email or malicious websites to infect your machine with malware and viruses to collect personal and financial information. Cybercriminals attempt to lure users to click on a link or open an attachment that infects their computers, creating vulnerabilities for criminals to use to attack. Phishing emails may appear to come from a real financial institution, e-commerce site, government agency, or any other service, business, or individual. The email may also request personal information such as account numbers, passwords, or Social Security numbers. When users respond with the information or click on a link, attackers use it to access users’ accounts.”
One way to identify a Phishing Scam attempt, is to check the sender’s email address to ensure that the email address is legit. Check out the Phishing Flyer below for more tips on how to identify Phishing Scams:
Digital Skills Learning Opportunity | A Smart Devices class will be offered at the Northeast Community College Campus in O’Neill on April 18, 2023.
For more information about the class or how to register, please visit their website at https://northeast.edu/classes/3222-smart-devices?location=73
Curious about all the terminology in the broadband discussions? Here are some basic definitions and a quick guide to help!
The ConnectNebraska Digital Opportunity webinar on January 25 was on Digital Equity Needs of Older Adults. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has contracted with GetSetUp to provide FREE, safe and interactive classes for older adults. Sign up today at https://www.getsetup.io/partner/nebraska.
Central Nebraska Economic Development is partnering with the Nebraska Information Technology Commission (NITC) and Nebraska Regional Officials (NROC) on the State’s Digital Equity Planning Grant and has established a Regional Broadband Committee for our district in part with this grant.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Don Linquist, with Linquist Technologies, recently presented over Precision Agriculture during last week’s Weekly Nebraska Digital Opportunities Webinar. Don is a member of the Central Nebraska Regional Broadband Committee, and you can find his recorded presentation here:
PART 1 https://youtu.be/bj3xcUeUiGE
PART 2 https://youtu.be/h23Q4cjYmh8
Weekly Digital Opportunities Webinar has a new Zoom Link. Make sure to check out the February webinar schedule that includes the new link!
Learn the basics of Digital Equity!
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a benefit program by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that ensures that households can afford the broadband they need. Visit https://www.fcc.gov/acp to for more information and the Application.
It’s Digital Inclusion Week!
Digital Inclusion Week is an annual week of awareness, recognition, and celebration where organizations and individuals across the country host special events and campaigns to promote digital equity in their communities.
Digital equity – access to affordable internet, affordable devices and digital skills – is a foundation for empowerment, transformation and economic opportunity in our communities.
Want to learn more?
Find out more about digital equity at digitalinclusion.org/definitions/
#DigitalEquityNOW #ConnectNebraska
Did you know that not everyone has the same access to quality, high-speed, affordable internet?
While 90% of households in Nebraska have an internet subscription at home, that number varies widely in different areas (95% in Sarpy County but only 71% in Sioux County). Additionally, only 63% of households with a household income of less than $20,000 and 73% of Nebraskans aged 65 and older have an internet subscription at home. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020 5-year estimates)
Take the Nebraska Broadband Speed Test today to help us learn more about the quality of internet access at your home, school or work - it only takes a minute! nebraskaspeedtest.org
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Need help paying for the internet or devices?
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps you afford the broadband you need for work, school, healthcare and more.
The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Find more details at https://www.fcc.gov/acp
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Broadband internet access is a vital part of the modern economy and the economic development of rural Nebraska is tied more and more to broadband connectivity. The new Connect Nebraska Broadband initiative is focused on ensuring that every corner of the state has access to affordable and reliable broadband.
“A connected Nebraska—especially in our rural areas—is essential for us to grow our state” – Governor Ricketts
Find out more at nebraska.gov
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A recent Omaha World Herald article stated that “the number of Nebraskans primarily working from home nearly tripled between 2019 and 2021 — a lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.” https://tinyurl.com/OWHwfh
Whether you are working or attending school virtually or completing everyday tasks like banking, scheduling a doctor appointment or simply ordering food at a restaurant, you need fast and reliable internet to get things done.
Find out how the Nebraska Rural Broadband Task Force is working to support broadband access across Nebraska at ruralbroadband.nebraska.gov
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Why is rural broadband important to Nebraska’s economy, and how does your County stack up?
Rural broadband availability is associated with the attraction and retention of millennials, greater economic growth, attraction of new business, higher household incomes and the growth of small businesses (Source: Gallardo, R., Whitacre, B., Grant A. January 2018).
See what broadband availability looks like in your county! Nebraska County Broadband Fact Sheets can be used to help start community, county-wide or regional discussions about broadband availability, adoption, and digital inclusion.
Find your county info at nlc.nebraska.gov/stats/broadband/
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