FAYETTEVILLE -- The city is looking for ideas from residents on how to bring internet access to those who need it most.
A public outreach meeting to go over the city's digital inclusion plan is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Fayetteville Public Library's Walker Room, according to a city news release.
A survey assessing residents' digital needs can be found online in English and Spanish at the city's public engagement portal at fayetteville-ar.gov/speakup. Additionally, paper copies will be available at the library and City Hall, and about 5,000 random households will receive one in the mail next month.
The survey includes questions about internet access in a household, what sort of devices one owns and regular internet usage.
The city launched a task force last year in collaboration with the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Public Library and Fayetteville Public Schools to make internet access more equitable. A large part of the effort focuses on lower-income families who can't afford internet service or don't live in a part of the city with reliable service.
The city also created more free Wi-Fi spots around town and at faster speeds. The City Council passed an ordinance last year regulating cellular network facilities in anticipation of 5G, the next generation of cellular mobile networks.
More information can be found at fayetteville-ar.gov/digitalinclusion.
NW News on 01/23/2019