Orleans Seeks To Close ‘Digital Divide’ - Report Identifies Issues, Sets Out Goals

ORLEANS – Over a year ago, Orleans assistant town planner Mike Solitro saw a presentation by the Cape Cod Tech Council that depicted Barnstable County as fully served by the internet. That took him by surprise.

"I knew the situation on the ground was different," he recalled, citing outages, difficult connections, dropped calls and people who just did not have WiFi.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many activities including work, school, public service, and healthcare moved to a virtual setting, it became clear that not everyone had the same access to these services. This digital divide separated those who had access to the internet and those who did not.

Solitro wanted to learn more. "The internet touches every part of our lives," he said. When he learned that the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) had funding to study the issue locally, he enlisted the support of the Cape Cod Commission to get a grant to find out more about digital access in Orleans.

The result is the 64-page Municipal Digital Equity Plan for the town of Orleans, funded by the MBI and available for review and comment through Aug. 14. According to Commission Deputy Director Steven Tupper, the plan is designed to "ensure everyone has the same access to the information technology needed for full participation in society, democracy, and the economy."

Orleans is one of the first three towns on the Cape to embark on this effort; Sandwich and Bourne are the others to have taken advantage of this state wide initiative.

"It is a good opportunity to see where we are and where improvements are needed," Solitro added.

The first of three goals of the plan is to ensure everyone in Orleans can access affordable, reliable and consistent internet service, both within their homes and in key community locations. Second is having the appropriate device to get online or knowing where to get publicly available technology and devices is critical. Finally, having the digital skills to be able to safely and securely navigate online services is an essential building block.

The plan also addresses barriers and potential solutions in areas like affordability, accessibility, trust, adoption, and ease of use. A grant covered the development of the plan and "there is an additional $100,000 reserved for implementation, at no cost to the town," Solitro added.

An early finding was that Orleans has "inadequate internet and cell service." Solitro saw that there was an even larger pool of people without digital access than he originally suspected. In addition to not having sufficient access, there were those who were just too uncomfortable with the idea of being online.

Solitro found that the data doesn't always represent what is going on. For example, although he is aware of scams and other horror stories, people rarely report those experiences.

"People are embarrassed or ashamed to report this kind of activity," he said. That's why having the skills to access the internet safely and securely is essential. "The internet can be a scary place," he said.

Key to the development of the plan was engagement with community members and stakeholders. Through surveys, stakeholder interviews, community pop-up events and a community workshop, more than 170 residents of the town were engaged at four events and 111 survey responses were received.

A series of recommendations includes both short and long term goals. One of the more immediate goals is to ensure any new community development is wired for internet, with fiber optics in the building and more in public spaces.

Ensuring people have devices is often addressed by handing out iPads or other equipment. However, Solitro warned that "we need to be sure we are providing the device plus the training" to ensure people know how to use or maintain the equipment.

The plan also recommends promoting existing in-person digital support services like those at the library, the schools and the council on aging while increasing the number of new opportunities. "Where there are programs we need to put a spotlight on them," he noted.

He is also aware that this is not an issue that will be solved once and done. "This is a landscape that is continually evolving," he said. "As a municipality we need to keep our finger on the pulse."

Solitro is especially interested in hearing what goals most interest residents, both short and long term. "I'd love to hear what residents recommend that we implement as the funds come in over the next 12 months," he said.

The plan is available at cccom.link/orleansde as well as in hard copy at the town hall, Snow Public Library and the Orleans Senior Center.

Comments may be sent via mail, facsimile, email, or online by Aug. 19 as follows. Mail can be sent to Cape Cod Commission Attn: Steven Tupper, Deputy Director, 3225 Main St. (Route 6A), PO Box 226, Barnstable MA 02630-0226; by fax to the attention of Steven Tupper, Deputy Director, 508-362-3136; by email, with “Orleans Digital Equity Plan” in the subject line, to info@capecodcommission.org; and via an online public comment form at www.capecodcommission.org/de-comments.

After the comment period, Orleans will work with the Cape Cod Commission to develop a final draft. Once the plan is finalized by the town and accepted by MBI, implementation can begin, expected in the fall.