Falmouth Digital Equity Plan

Overview
The Plan
NEW: Implementation

Digital equity efforts seek to ensure everyone has the same access and opportunities to the information technology needed for full participation in society, democracy, and the economy. The focus is on bridging the affordability of internet service and devices, building skills to use programs and equipment, increasing trust, and overcoming language or other barriers that keep individuals from fully participating.

The Town of Falmouth and the Falmouth Broadband Municipal Light Plant (MLP) worked with the Cape Cod Commission to develop a municipal digital equity plan. The plan assesses the digital divide in Falmouth and identifies opportunities to advance digital equity. It considers topics such as the availability and affordability of internet service, device access, online safety, and digital skills required for meaningful digital engagement. Developed through a robust community engagement process that sought to prioritize learning from members of the Falmouth community who are most impacted by the digital divide, the plan aims to prepare the town for forthcoming funding opportunities by providing recommendations to guide decision-making, investment, and implementation.

View the Falmouth Digital Equity Plan

View the Appendix

View plan development documents and information:

“A condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services.”

National Digital Inclusion Alliance

Internet Connection Icon

Digital Skills Icon

Internet Connection

Affordable, fast, reliable, accessible.

Devices

Adequate, needs-appropriate, affordable, accessible.

Literacy/Skills

Ability to use technology, functionality, trust, privacy concerns.

This project was funded by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the MassTech Collaborative under the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program. Funding was provided by Massachusetts ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Purpose of the Digital Equity Plan

Digital equity plans prepare municipalities for future funding opportunities. Through the digital equity planning process, towns can develop strategies in a community-driven framework to ensure all benefit from future investments.

Public input and participation are essential to this process, enabling the town to incorporate and reflect the community's vision when advancing future initiatives and projects.

Plan Elements

Introduction & Town Vision for Digital Equity
Current State of Digital Equity
Existing conditions, knowledge gaps, challenges, and opportunities
Stakeholder Engagement Process
Who was engaged and how were they engaged
Key Findings
What was discovered throughout the planning process
Implementation
Recommendations for driving solutions, evaluating progress, and funding opportunities

Digital Navigation Program

With implementation funding from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, the Town of Falmouth in launching a pilot digital navigation program for digitally disadvantaged residents. The Town is currently seeking a qualified digital navigation services provider to support this program.

RFP for Digital Navigation Services Open

The Town of Falmouth, through the Town Manager’s Office, is requesting proposals from public or private, state and federally recognized non-profit organizations, agencies, or partnerships to provide digital navigation services to assist residents who qualify under federal ARPA guidelines and are considered digitally disadvantaged. Appropriate internet access, devices, and skills will be provided. Outreach will be developed to Town organizations and agencies to facilitate referrals and to coordinate efficiently with existing resources.

Public agencies or state and federally recognized not-for-profit organizations may submit proposals. Proposals from collaborative partnerships will be accepted if there is a lead organization who meets the above criteria and who will be responsible for project delivery, outcome measurement and reporting requirements.

Proposals must include the following:

Individual digital navigation assistance to those identified as suffering from digital gap problems
Provision of small group training where appropriate and if not already available
Development of protocols for safely providing assistance
Networking with related town programs
Inventorying of resources to identify strengths and gaps

Responses are due by 4 p.m. on Sept. 19, 2025.

LINK: Town of Falmouth Bid Posting Page (requires sign-up to view full RFP)