Digital  News

It’s been awhile since we shared an update on what’s happening with Google Fiber in San Antonio. We’ve been hard at work upgrading our network to provide the best customer experience possible and to make sure we meet the evolving needs of our customers.
Access is just one piece of digital inclusion. In our efforts to further digital equity initiatives in the city, we are working with a number of committed community organizations, including:
San Antonio Digital Connects dedicated to increasing access to quality internet and digital skills

“The impactful work by Methodist Healthcare Ministries across San Antonio and Bexar County, continues to demonstrate their commitment to addressing the many challenges of the digital divide,” says Rhia Pape, Executive Director at SA Digital Connects. “We are proud to be supported and funded by MHM and other private sector partners and are thankful SA Digital Connects gets to work with such amazing partners to implement the SA/Greater Bexar County Investment Plan. There are many layers to this work and it’s only with coordination and collaboration between organizations that we will see success in closing the digital divide in our community.”

It hasn’t been six months yet, but in some ways, it feels like this was always my path. Leading SA Digital Connects, a private-public-community partnership that aims to close San Antonio’s and Bexar County’s’ digital divide, is complex and challenging, but also rewarding.

“We know that successfully closing the digital divide in Bexar County involves more than simply access. We need adoption,” BiblioTech director Laura Cole said. “We need people to feel safe, secure and competent when working in the online space.”
Laura Cole- SA Digital Connects Board Chair.

However, barriers such as lack of infrastructure, affordability and understanding how to safely use the internet remain, said Rhia Pape, executive director of SA Digital Connects, a public-private organization working to expand digital access. Local digital advocates are hopeful that state and federal funds will help speed up the digital adoption process, especially among multifamily housing residents and residents living in the more rural and lower-income areas of the region.

Rhia Pape, Executive Director of SA Digital Connects, commended San Antonio's commitment, stating, "The City of San Antonio is committed to closing the digital divide, and this recognition is well deserved. We are proud to support their intentional effort and appreciate our continued partnership in this extensive work.”