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Digital Access Report

1Philadelphia and the Technology Learning Collaborative present Resilience in Action: A Digital Access Agenda for Philadelphia (2025), a collaborative effort rooted in our shared vision of digital equity and community empowerment. This report stands as a testament to the collective power of partnerships, emphasizing how organizations across Philadelphia can come together to drive meaningful change. It reflects a joint understanding of where we’ve been, where we are today, and the critical steps we must take to ensure Philadelphia’s continued progress as a leader in technology and innovation.

Download the full report.

Front page of the Resilience in Action Digital Action report.

Timeline of Philadelphia’s Digital Access Initiatives

2005
Wireless Philadelphia Project

In 2005, Philadelphia launched the Wireless Philadelphia project with an ambitious goal: to provide low-cost internet access to more than 550,000 households.

2011
KEYSPOT Program

Through BTOP funding the program partnered with more than 50 nonprofits to create 77 public computer labs that offered free internet access and digital skills training across the city.

2013
Technology Learning Collaborative (TLC)

Building off of the collaborative nature of the KEYSPOT Program, TLC offers professional development and creates space for knowledge sharing for our member organizations. 

2017
Digital Literacy Alliance

 Funded by ISPs and local philanthropy, the DLA has currently awarded over $1.6 million in grants to 36 different organizations.

2020
Digital Navigator Program

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the City of Philadelphia launched one of the first Digital Navigator programs.

2020
PHLConnectED

Working with the School District of Philadelphia, the City provided free Internet access to over 22,000 families with school aged children.

2021
Northstar Digital Literacy Program

The City's Office of Children and Families began funding organizations to offer the
Northstar Digital Literacy program; providing adults access to free digital skills training. Many organizations also provided laptops as an incentive to completing the training.

2021
DEA and BEAD

The Digital Equity Act (DEA) and the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program were enacted to provide over $45 billion across the country for broadband deployment and digital inclusion services. $1.6 billion was designated for Pennsylvania.

2021
Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority

As part of the federal BEAD program, the state created the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA). 

2022
Affordable Connectivity Program

The ACP was a federal
program that provided qualified households a $30 monthly discount ($70 for tribal lands)
towards their broadband Internet costs and up to $100 towards the cost of a computer or
tablet. In 2024, almost 195,000 had signed up for the program, just over 50% of those eligible.

2024
Affordable Connectivity Program Ends

As demand for the ACP exceeded expectations, Congress chose not to refund the program. The ACP ended in February of 2024, leaving almost 200,000 low-income households in Philadelphia without the means to afford this essential service.

2025
Digital Equity Competitive Grant Awarded

Through the DEA, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced a $12
million award to the City of Philadelphia. This was a multi-year opportunity to boost workforce development and training programs with a cohort of community-based organizations.

2025
Digital Equity Competitive Grant Canceled

The City's $12 million grant award was rescinded as the change in presidential administrations led to the cancellation of the Digital Equity Act in May of 2025.