47 U.S.C. § 1721 — Definitions

1. (1)Adoption of broadbandThe term “adoption of broadband” means the process by which an individual obtains daily access to the internet—
   1. (A)at a speed, quality, and capacity—
      1. (i)that is necessary for the individual to accomplish common tasks; and
      2. (ii)such that the access qualifies as an advanced telecommunications capability;
   2. (B)with the digital skills that are necessary for the individual to participate online; and
   3. (C)on a—
      1. (i)personal device; and
      2. (ii)secure and convenient network.
2. (2)Advanced telecommunications capabilityThe term “advanced telecommunications capability” has the meaning given the term in section 1302(d) of this title.
3. (3)Aging individualThe term “aging individual” has the meaning given the term “older individual” in section 3002 of title 42.
4. (4)Appropriate committees of CongressThe term “appropriate committees of Congress” means—
   1. (A)the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
   2. (B)the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;
   3. (C)the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
   4. (D)the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
5. (5)Assistant SecretaryThe term “Assistant Secretary” means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.
6. (6)Community anchor institutionThe term “community anchor institution” means a public school, a public or multi-family housing authority, a library, a medical or healthcare provider, a community college or other institution of higher education, a State library agency, and any other nonprofit or governmental community support organization.
7. (7)Covered householdThe term “covered household” means a household, the income of which for the most recently completed year is not more than 150 percent of an amount equal to the poverty level, as determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census.
8. (8)Covered populationsThe term “covered populations” means—
   1. (A)individuals who live in covered households;
   2. (B)aging individuals;
   3. (C)incarcerated individuals, other than individuals who are incarcerated in a Federal correctional facility;
   4. (D)veterans;
   5. (E)individuals with disabilities;
   6. (F)individuals with a language barrier, including individuals who—
      1. (i)are English learners; and
      2. (ii)have low levels of literacy;
   7. (G)individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group; and
   8. (H)individuals who primarily reside in a rural area.
9. (9)Covered programsThe term “covered programs” means the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program established under section 1723 of this title and the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program established under section 1724 of this title.
10. (10)Digital equityThe term “digital equity” means the condition in which individuals and communities have the information technology capacity that is needed for full participation in the society and economy of the United States.
11. (11)Digital inclusionThe term “digital inclusion”—
    1. (A)means the activities that are necessary to ensure that all individuals in the United States have access to, and the use of, affordable information and communication technologies, such as—
       1. (i)reliable fixed and wireless broadband internet service;
       2. (ii)internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; and
       3. (iii)applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration; and
    2. (B)includes—
       1. (i)obtaining access to digital literacy training;
       2. (ii)the provision of quality technical support; and
       3. (iii)obtaining basic awareness of measures to ensure online privacy and cybersecurity.
12. (12)Digital literacyThe term “digital literacy” means the skills associated with using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information.
13. (13)DisabilityThe term “disability” has the meaning given the term in section 12102 of title 42.
14. (14)Eligible StateThe term “eligible State” means—
    1. (A)with respect to planning grants made available under section 60304(c)(3), a State with respect to which the Assistant Secretary has approved an application submitted to the Assistant Secretary under section 1723(c)(3)(C) of this title; and
    2. (B)with respect to capacity grants awarded under section 1723(d) of this title, a State with respect to which the Assistant Secretary has approved an application submitted to the Assistant Secretary under section 1723(d)(2) of this title, including approval of the State Digital Equity Plan developed by the State under section 1723(c) of this title.
15. (15)Gender identityThe term “gender identity” has the meaning given the term in section 249(c) of title 18.
16. (16)Indian TribeThe term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 5304(e) of title 25.
17. (17)Institution of higher educationThe term “institution of higher education”—
    1. (A)has the meaning given the term in section 1001 of title 20; and
    2. (B)includes a postsecondary vocational institution.
18. (18)Local educational agencyThe term “local educational agency” has the meaning given the term in section 7801(30) of title 20.
19. (19)Postsecondary vocational institutionThe term “postsecondary vocational institution” has the meaning given the term in section 1002(c) of title 20.
20. (20)Rural areaThe term “rural area” has the meaning given the term in section 950bb(b)(3) of title 7.
21. (21)StateThe term “State” means—
    1. (A)any State of the United States;
    2. (B)the District of Columbia; and
    3. (C)the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
22. (22)VeteranThe term “veteran” has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38.
23. (23)Workforce development programThe term “workforce development program” has the meaning given the term in section 3102(66) of title 29.