Digital Equity Program

Arizona’s Digital Equity Program is an initiative to promote digital equity and inclusion to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of a digital economy. The state is committed to ensuring universal broadband availability through infrastructure investments, supporting affordable broadband plans for all Arizonans, ensuring access to affordable, internet enabled devices and providing inclusive digital skills training.

The state is committed to ensuring that all Arizonans can participate fully and securely in the digital landscape. The Digital Equity Plan is designed to address the critical areas of: 

Internet Cost & Stability
1
Inclusivity of Resources
2
Digital Literacy Upskilling Opportunities
3
Privacy & Cybersecurity
4
Device Access
5

Digital Equity Timeline

The State Broadband Office intends to successfully achieve the Digital Equity Plan goals by 2030.

 

Timeline

 

Timeline of Arizona's Digital Equity Planning milestones: IIJA signed into law (November 2021), planning grant application submitted (July 2022), planning grant awarded (October 2022), plan submitted (March 2024), plan approved (April 2024), and capacity grant application submitted (May 2024). Steps are marked with green icons, with the final step highlighted by an orange star.

Anticipated Next Steps

 

Timeline for Arizona's Digital Equity Capacity Grant process: Grant awarded on December 19, 2025, followed by subgrantee preparation in early 2025 (2 months), RFP opens in Q2 2025 (2 months), subgrantees selected in Q2 2025, and submission of the final implementation plan to NTIA 9 months after the grant award. Steps are marked with blue icons connected by lines.