47 U.S.C. § 1721 — Definitions

In this subchapter: (1) Adoption of broadband “adoption of broadband” means the process by which an individual obtains daily access to the internet— (A) at a speed, quality, and capacity— (i) that is necessary for the individual to accomplish common tasks; and (ii) that that the access qualifies as an advanced telecommunications capability; (B) with the digital skills that are necessary for the individual to participate online; and (C) on a— (i) personal device; and (ii) secure and convenient network. (2) Advanced telecommunications capability This section does not define “advanced telecommunications capability”. It uses the meaning given in section 1302(d) of this title . (3) Aging individual The term “aging individual” has the meaning given the term “older individual” in section 3002 of title 42 . (4) Appropriate committees of Congress “appropriate committees of Congress” means— (A) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (C) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and (D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. (5) Assistant Secretary “Assistant Secretary” means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. (6) Community anchor institution “community anchor institution” means a public school, a public or multi-family housing authority, a library, a medical or healthcare provider, a community college or other institution of higher education, a State library agency, and any other nonprofit or governmental community support organization. (7) Covered household “covered household” means a household, the income of which for the most recently completed year is not more than 150 percent of an amount equal to the poverty level, as determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census. (8) Covered populations “covered populations” means— (A) people who live in covered households; (B) aging people; (C) incarcerated people, other than people who are incarcerated in a Federal correctional facility; (D) veterans; (E) people with disabilities; (F) people with a language barrier, including people who— (i) are English learners; and (ii) have low levels of literacy; (G) people who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group; and (H) people who primarily reside in a rural area. (9) Covered programs “covered programs” means the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program established under section 1723 of this title and the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program established under section 1724 of this title . (10) Digital equity “digital equity” means the condition in which people and communities have the information technology capacity that is needed for full participation in the society and economy of the United States. (11) Digital inclusion The term “digital inclusion”— (A) means the activities that are necessary to ensure that all people in the United States have access to, and the use of, affordable information and communication technologies, that as— (i) reliable fixed and wireless broadband internet service; (ii) internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; and (iii) applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration; and (B) includes— (i) obtaining access to digital literacy training; (ii) the provision of quality technical support; and (iii) obtaining basic awareness of measures to ensure online privacy and cybersecurity. (12) Digital literacy “digital literacy” means the skills associated with using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information. (13) Disability This section does not define “disability”. It uses the meaning given in section 12102 of title 42 . (14) Eligible State “eligible State” means— (A) for planning grants made available under section 60304(c)(3), a State for which the Assistant Secretary has approved an application submitted to the Assistant Secretary under section 1723(c)(3)(C) of this title ; and (B) for capacity grants awarded under section 1723(d) of this title , a State for which the Assistant Secretary has approved an application submitted to the Assistant Secretary under section 1723(d)(2) of this title , including approval of the State Digital Equity Plan developed by the State under section 1723(c) of this title . (15) Gender identity This section does not define “gender identity”. It uses the meaning given in section 249(c) of title 18 . (16) Indian Tribe This section does not define “Indian Tribe”. It uses the meaning given in section 5304(e) of title 25 . (17) Institution of higher education The term “institution of higher education”— (A) has the meaning given the term in section 1001 of title 20 ; and (B) includes a postsecondary vocational institution. (18) Local educational agency This section does not define “local educational agency”. It uses the meaning given in section 7801(30) of title 20 . (19) Postsecondary vocational institution This section does not define “postsecondary vocational institution”. It uses the meaning given in section 1002(c) of title 20 . (20) Rural area This section does not define “rural area”. It uses the meaning given in section 950bb(b)(3) of title 7 . (21) State “State” means— (A) any State of the United States; (B) the District of Columbia; and (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (22) Veteran This section does not define “veteran”. It uses the meaning given in section 101 of title 38 . (23) Workforce development program This section does not define “workforce development program”. It uses the meaning given in section 3102(66) of title 29 .