Access Is the New Opportunity: Why Internet Connectivity Is the Front Door to Economic Mobility

In today’s America, the difference between moving forward or falling behind often comes down to one thing: internet access.

Job applications. Virtual interviews. Remote work. Online certifications. None of these are optional anymore—they are the baseline. Without reliable high-speed internet at home, people are shut out of opportunity before they even get to compete.

This is not about charity. It is about fairness. It is about ensuring that people have the tools to take control of their future in a twenty-first century economy.

Connectivity Fuels Independence

A connected home is not entertainment. It is a launchpad for self-reliance.

Parents apply for jobs. Workers upgrade their skills. Veterans book appointments. Seniors refill prescriptions. Students keep up with class. Families stay connected.

Connectivity does more than connect devices. It connects people to possibility.

This Is a National Issue, Rooted in Local Solutions

Too often, the digital divide gets treated like a political football. The reality is clear: when people cannot get online, they are locked out of opportunity. When they can, communities grow stronger—economically and socially.

That is what is happening in Cleveland. With Canopy, Powered by DigitalC, more than 5,800 households already have the internet they deserve—for $18 a month. Local hiring. Transparent investment. Measurable outcomes. Real results.

The impact is undeniable:

• 75% of connected households had little to no discretionary income, facing impossible tradeoffs between internet and basic needs. We removed that burden.
• Nearly 1 in 4 homes had no in-home Wi-Fi before DigitalC. We filled a critical infrastructure gap.
• 86% of families relied only on cell phones for internet before Canopy. We replaced makeshift access with real broadband and digital opportunity.
• More than 1 in 5 households include children, and another 1 in 10 include grandparents. Our network supports entire family ecosystems under one roof.

This is what smart infrastructure looks like—designed to serve the people legacy providers left behind.

A Smart Investment Is Not Political—it Is Practical

We do not need to agree on every issue to agree on this: Americans deserve a fair shot at the starting line.

Economic mobility begins with access. Access begins with infrastructure. The return on investment is clear:

• Fewer families forced into impossible financial tradeoffs.
• Students with the resources to learn and succeed.
• Veterans and seniors able to access critical care without barriers.