Posts in category: Digital Equity

Got electromagnetic fields?

We all do. Whenever we are around our devices and power sources. But what are they and what are they doing?

An electromagnetic field (EMF) is the energy area surrounding an electrical device. The movement of electrical charges within these devices creates non-ionizing radiation, meaning it doesn’t have enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules.

Low-frequency EMFs are found around power sources like power lines, electrical wiring, and appliances. High-frequency EMFs, ranging from 300 Hz to 300 GHz, are associated with wireless communication technologies such as radios, televisions, microwaves, and mobile phones.

The basis of modern technology is electromagnetism, the connection between electricity and magnetism. This relationship was first identified by Hans Christian Ørsted in 1820 when he observed that an electric current deflected a compass needle, indicating that electric currents produce magnetic fields

Electricity involves the movement of electric charges. Their movement generates a magnetic field. As the magnetic field changes it generates an electric field. Changing electrical fields produce magnetic fields and vice versa. This interaction creates electromagnetic waves, as described by James Clerk Maxwell’s work in the mid-19th century. These waves travel at the speed of light and encompass a spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays.

EMFs link electric and magnetic fields. Electric fields arise from stationary electric charge while magnetic fields arise from moving electrical currents. When charges move, they create both fields, which interact to create electromagnetic waves. An EMF is the combined effect of this dynamic interaction.

Frequency is the number of oscillations per second of the electromagnetic wave, measured in hertz (HZ) and usually observed in this context as megahertz (MHz) and gigahertz (GHz). Higher frequency waves have more oscillations per second – MHz has one million cycles per second, GHz has one billion. The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength. The wavelength determines the wave’s ability to penetrate materials and also its range of influence.

Mobile phones emit high-frequency electromagnetic waves, or radiofrequency (RF) waves, for wireless communication. These RF waves range from a few megahertz to several gigahertz and, when on the higher end of the spectrum, they are able to transmit data over long distances. So, what does our phone emit when we use it – and when we don’t?

The specific absorption rate (SAR) measures the rate at which the body absorbs RF energy, in watts per kilogram (W/kg). RF waves from mobile phones penetrate the body to varying depths. For example, 700 MHz waves can penetrate a few centimeters, while 2.6 GHz waves penetrate less than 1 centimeter, mostly absorbed by the skin and superficial tissues. Have you ever noticed your ear getting hot or sweaty during a phone call? This is a result of continuous exposure to RF energy. 

Prolonged RF exposure can have non-thermal biological effects, such as oxidative stress, DNA damage, and changes in cell function. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRAC) classified RF radiation as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” based on evidence of an increased risk for glioma, a type of brain cancer, with heavy, long-term mobile phone use (IARC Interphone Study Results, International Journal of Epidemiology – Interphone Study). This was defined as using the phone for 30 minutes per day on average over 10 years.

Studies indicate that, with an average SAR of 1.0 W/kg, using a phone for 30 minutes per day results in absorbing about 1800 joules/kg daily. Given that 18-24 year-olds in the United States use their phones for about 4 hours and 35 minutes per day, this equates to 16,200 joules/kg daily. This modern usage is nearly 9 times higher than the levels associated with increased brain tumor risks in earlier studies.

If the studies showing increased risks of brain tumors with lower levels of RF exposure are accurate, significantly higher exposure levels among young adults today should be a serious cause for concern.

EMFs are most intense within a few centimeters to a meter from the phone. The intensity rapidly decreases beyond this range, making near-field exposure the most relevant for personal health.

To reduce exposure from mobile phones, use some of these strategies:

• Go Hands-Free
  • Use the speakerphone, wired earbuds, or headphones to keep the phone away from your head. While Bluetooth headsets emit some EMF, the levels are much lower compared to holding the phone to your ear.
• Limit Mobile Phone Calls
  • Keep mobile phone calls close to your ear short. For longer conversations, consider using a landline if possible.
• Avoid Direct Contact
  • Avoid carrying your phone in your pocket or close to your body. Instead, use a bag or place it on a nearby surface.
  • Avoid sleeping with your phone near your head or under your pillow. Place it on a bedside table at least a few feet away or in a separate room.
• Use Airplane Phone
  • When you don’t need cellular connectivity or when you are connected to WiFi, enable airplane mode to disable the phone’s wireless transmissions.
  • If you need to carry your phone in your pocket or close to your body, put it in airplane mode.
  • Better yet, try to make a habit of slipping into airplane mode when you aren’t using it. You can also still choose to be connected to WiFi. Even still, in airplane mode, you’ll be helping reduce EMF emissions.
• Reduce Background Apps
  • Limit the number of apps running in the background that require continuous data exchange, which can increase EMF emissions.
• Optimize Signal Strength
  • Use your phone in areas with strong reception to reduce the phone’s power output, as phones emit more radiation when trying to connect in areas with poor signals.
  • Avoid using your phone near metal objects, which can amplify EMF exposure.
• Use EMF Shields
  • Use cases and shields designed to block or reduce EMF radiation
• Avoid Concurrent Use
  • Minimize the use of other EMF-emitting devices simultaneously (e.g. laptop) to reduce cumulative exposure. 

Environmental Working Group guidelines on cell phone radiation

World Health Organization recommendations on reducing exposure to mobile phone radiation

January 11, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an Order informing that the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is expected to end Spring 2024.

In 2021, Congress established the Affordable Connectivity Program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and appropriated $14.2 billion for the program. The FCC was tasked to develop and implement the ACP as well as ACP outreach and awareness activities.

Since its implementation, over 22.5 million households nationwide, and more than 279,909 households across Maryland – 1 in 8 households – have utilized the program’s monthly $30-75 discount on internet service. District 2, comprised of parts of Carroll and Baltimore counties and small portions of the Baltimore city, has 30,153 households enrolled – 10% of all households.

The program is projected to run out of funding by April 2024. If this forecast is correct and no additional funding from Congress is received, we expect to see a statement from the FCC in March 2024, announcing the last fully funded month of the ACP.

Consumers must enroll in the program by February 7, 2024, 11:59 EST. Enrollment consists of ACP approval and enrollment with an internet company, so potential consumers should not delay in starting the process as it needs to go through FCC approval and internet service provider initiation.

All households enrolled in the ACP will continue to receive the benefit on their internet service until ACP funding. During the wind-down period, ACP households will receive notices from their internet company about the status and the impact of the ACP benefit ending:

• • Notification 1: Late January 2024, consumers will be updated about the possibility of ACP’s end and the potential bill impact.
  • Notification 2: Fifteen days after FCC announces the last fully funded month of the ACP, consumers will be told of the ACP’s ending, date of the last bill ACP will be applied, cost of the bill without the ACP discount, and information about changing or stopping service.
  • Notification 3: During the customer’s last bill or last billing cycle with ACP benefit, consumers will be reminded of the ACP’s ending, date of the last bill ACP will be applied, cost of the bill without the ACP discount, and information about changing or stopping service.

Internet service providers and U.S. Senators and Representatives are advocating for the continuation of internet service discounts to eligible households.

“Congress should continue to fund the ACP because Internet access has become essential to modern life, and one’s economic situation should not dictate whether or not they can participate in today’s economy,” said Kevin Brown of Quantum Internet and Telephone, a local family owned and operated Internet and telephone service provider based in Manchester, MD.

U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), JD Vance (R-Ohio), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and U.S. Representatives Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01)  led their colleagues in the bicameral, bipartisan introduction of the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act (H.R.6929 / S.3565). The legislation would provide $7 billion for the ACP.

Digital equity organizations are showcasing the impact of ACP in hopes of displaying to legislators the power of the program for workforce development, community connection, and individual involvement in all sectors of life.

ACP Alternatives

Folks can also explore Lifeline, a federal program that helps limited income consumers pay for their telephone and internet services by providing a monthly discount. The cost of the program is shared by all telephone customers. In Maryland the program is called Tel-Life. You will sign up through a Lifeline provider company directly. Many companies advertise their Lifeline services, or you may find a list at www.lifelinesupport.org. When you sign up for Lifeline, you will need to provide full legal name, date of birth, last four digits of Social Security number, and address.

ACP Wind-Down Resources:

ACP Wind-Down Fact Sheet
ACP Wind-Down FAQ

Programa de Descuentos para Internet (ACP) hoja informativa sobre el fin del programa

What internet plan is right for you?

OSB has released the Maryland State Digital Equity Plan- DRAFT, and is requesting comments emailed through December 2, 2023.

The Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition (BDEC) has created an awesome share spreadsheet OSB- Public Comment Collection Spreadsheet where you can enter comments and see the comments of others by section of the plan.

Key portions of the Maryland Digital Equity Plan:

Pg 1-5 Section 1.1 and 1.2: Digital Equity Principles and Barriers (see also Table 1 – covered populations – the state is going to organizing funding around reaching these groups)

Pg. 6-10 Section 1.5: Implementation Plan

Pg 16-18 Section 2.3.1: Strategies for overcoming barriers

Pg 18-30  Section 2.2.3: Objections and performance indicators.  NOTE:  OSB has listed statewide percentages for each metric, but not provided any baseline numbers to the total improvements in each area, no breakdown by county, and are using data sources that aren’t very granular.  And for almost all categories, the plan says the state has a very small digital equity problem.

Pg 32-44 Section 3.1.3:  Chart of existing digital equity assets (i.e., programs and organizations) by covered population – if you provide digital equity services, make sure you are in here

Pg 48-54 Section 3.1.3: Chart of digital equity programs (if you run a large digital equity program, make sure you are in here)

Pg 63-76 Section 3.2: Chart listing the obstacles by covered population to achieving: broadband availability, broadband adoption, digital skills, online security, and device adoption.

Pg 69 Section 3.2.1 Covered Populations:  The state seems to be stating that they couldn’t find reliable sources of data for Individuals with Language Barriers and Individuals Who Have Low Levels of Literacy, so they aren’t going to speculate.  But it’s not clear whether in the charts that follow, the State is capturing the digital equity gap for these populations.

Pg 78-98 Please skim these charts.  There are people with skills in statistical analysis who will be weighing in on the Plan.  But look at the tables – in most cases the Plan is stating there is 20% gap or less between the covered populations and the rest of the state, i.e., that where 95% of the state has a specific type of digital service/device, 70% to 80% of covered populations have that same service. For example, see Table 33 on page 97 states the percentage of people have a computer or desktop by covered area:

• 92% of higher income compared to 65.7% of lower income people -26.3% differential)
• 89.7% of White compared to 85% of minorities (-4.7% differential)
• 89.1% of people without disabilities compared to 73.7% of people with disabilities (15.4% differential)
• 87.8% for people with English proficiency and 81.2% for English learners (-6.6% differential)

If, in your experience, the groups you serve do not have access to digital equity services and devices at these levels, the State needs to hear from you.

Also, compare the above data with Table 35, 36, and 37 on pages 154-158.  These tables provide a breakdown of the number of computers by household by income, race/ethnicity, and at-risk status.

Pg 171 Table 41: Confidence using the internet by household income.  There is a similar chart by age on pg 180, but no corresponding charts by race/ethnicity, language barriers, or education level.

Join us for the MDEC Listening session with the State and provide that feedback.  If you have time, make comments in the shared spreadsheet provided by BDEC as well. Click here to join the MDEC or share with others.

Where are we going? And, who is taking us there?

We announced Jack and Diana joining the CTIC Team – two digital navigators with the American Connection Corps. What does a digital navigator do, you might be wondering? A digital navigator is a trusted guide who plays a crucial role in assisting community members in internet adoption and the use of computing devices, building relationships with partners and organizations and emphasizing the strengths of the community in the process.

Jack and Diana are here to help community members acquire affordable internet access, obtain suitable devices, and develop digital skills and intentional relationships with technology – digital inclusion work. Well-versed with digital equity resources, they empower individuals to leverage technology towards their ambitions.

Our digital navigators will be working on an asset map with digital inclusion resources in Carroll County. This asset map will include the digital inclusion programs the Carroll Technology and Innovation Council is developing, along with the work of our partners. Any organization can be orient their work towards digital equity as resource access and online collaboration can progress many goals.

On a typical day, our digital navigators can work on a variety of tasks including

• Planning or delivering instruction at a Senior Planet event
  • In partnership with the University of Maryland Extension, we work in collaboration with Senior Planet to deliver workshops, lectures, and courses that progress the unique goals and ambitions of participants.
  • Senior Planet programs are designed around five impact areas: financial security, social engagement, creative expression, health and wellness, and civic participation. These areas represent opportunities in the lives of older adults where technology can have a transformative effect. In essence, the programming invites participants to learn through technology – instead of just having them learn technology for its own merit and without relevant applications integrated into the instruction.
• Communicating with a Veteran as part of the Veterans Transition to Technology program
  • The Veterans Transition to Technology programming is designed to assist in digital equity and inclusion efforts in Maryland by addressing the challenges our veterans face when seeking work and support. We provide them with the technology, training, and partnership needed to successfully navigate an increasingly digital world.
• Attending a digital equity training session
• Researching a blog or building digital equity resources
• Creating or attending device distribution events
• Planning community action days
  • Mark those calendars for upcoming Electronic Waste Management events
    • Dec 4 – McDaniel College
    • Jan 13 – Carroll County location beyond Westminster, TBD

Digital Navigators are vital in our community to keep all community members connected. Connect with Diana at diana@carrolltechcouncil.org or jack@carrolltechcouncil.org today!

Word Bank:

Digital equity is when all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society.

The digital divide is what prevents interactions among and between communities and prevents participation and opportunity in all areas of life.

Digital inclusion refers to the intentional activities and investments that work to reduce and eliminate historical, institutional, and structural barriers to access and use of technology for all individuals and communities.

Why is DIW Important? 

Digital Inclusion Week is October 2-6, 2023 – the eighth annual week of awareness, recognition, and celebration. With support from National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), hundreds of companies, organizations, and individuals across the country participated in special events and campaigns to promote and increase digital equity in their communities.  

With the growth of the digital inclusion field and abundance of community excitement, 2023 will be a record-breaking year for Digital Inclusion Week. Organizations, advocates, and other digital inclusion supporters across the country used DIW to highlight solutions for affordable internet access, appropriate devices for all, and digital skills programs.  

Why pay attention to DIW now?

At its core, digital inclusion is about creating a society where every individual can fully participate in the digital world. It is a journey toward equality, access, empowerment, and a brighter future.

It’s also about acknowledging the hundreds of households in Maryland who do not have a foundational tool for internet connectivity – a wireline high-speed internet subscription for their home. It will take engaging in the statewide broadband planning process, creating partnerships focused digital inclusion and network deployment, increasing public awareness of internet service affordability programs, and equipping users everywhere with digital skills.

There has never been a more important time to work together on this issue. We hope your exposure to Digital Inclusion Week this year was an opportunity to explore digital equity and contribute your expertise and energy to organizations in your community working to bridge the digital divide.

What does Carroll Tech do to uphold the DIW values?  

Across Carroll County, CTIC is working to close the digital divide and make technology available to everyone. Through programs like Techworks, for years, the CTIC has been provided the devices necessary to operate in a world becoming technologically centric. Sometimes compared to water, having quality supply and access to internet is essential to full participation in all sectors of life (dive into the digital equity impact). By engaging in national initiatives like the Affordable Connectivity Program and continuing to provide veterans with laptops, the CTIC will equip people with the connections they need to get online with confidence in their skills and their internet connection. 

Making this technology available is just the first step. The CTIC will continue to provide job training and pathways to certification and workshops empowering community members how to use and apply these devices to their ambitions and interest. Through programs like Senior Planet, the CTIC is offering solutions to the digital divide.  

Thank you for participating in Digital Inclusion Week with us! We’re excited to share with you what we worked on this week and year soon. Happy DIW 2023!

This blog was written in part by Jack Bayne, our new American Connection Corps Fellow and Digital Navigator. Digital Navigators are individuals who address the whole digital inclusion process: home connectivity, devices, digital skills, helpline, connections with community members through repeated interactions. He will be pivotal in delivering our Digital Programming.