A Comprehensive Framework to Monitor, Evaluate, and Guide Broadband and Digital Equity Policy

Abstract

This paper proposes a dual approach to monitoring, evaluating, and guiding broadband policy. It combines a practitioner tool, the Digital Opportunities Compass, with a statistical analysis framework with the goal to inform and improve policy. Taken together, these two approaches allow systematic learning from the vast natural experiment in broadband and digital equity policy unleashed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill of 2021. The Compass builds on local experience and insights and can inform local and state decisions early in the implementation process. Its capabilities to visualize important outcomes over time provides an easy-to-use approach to broadband policy planning. The Compass also allows benchmarking against peer communities and is suited for non–parametric analysis, such as forms of frontier analyses. These tools can help identify strengths and bottlenecks and can assist in the short-term prioritization of resources and efforts.

The conceptual and statistical model reflects the need to develop a longer-term, dynamic approach to policy design, monitoring, and evaluation. The highly connected nature of advanced broadband ecosystems requires that relevant interdependencies be captured more completely than they currently are. From the initial steps proposed in this paper, integrating insights from the Compass and the statistical approach, a dynamic broadband policy learning system can be developed. In this system, data will continuously be used and analyzed to better understand the effectiveness and repercussions of policy interventions. This will give community planners and digital equity advocates tools to learn from their past decisions and from peer communities. It will provide reliable guidance to shape forward-looking policies.

Keywords: Broadband ecosystem, Digital Opportunities Compass, broadband policy, digital equity, policy evaluation, policy monitoring, policy planning, policy learning system

JEL Classification: L52, L86, L96