| NSF Org: |
CNS Division Of Computer and Network Systems |
| Recipient: |
|
| Initial Amendment Date: | June 1, 2020 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | June 1, 2020 |
| Award Number: | 2030490 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
David Corman
CNS Division Of Computer and Network Systems CSE Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering |
| Start Date: | June 1, 2020 |
| End Date: | May 31, 2022 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $111,315.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $111,315.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
|
| History of Investigator: |
|
| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1045 LIGHT STREET BALTIMORE MD US 21230-4017 (443)643-6085 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
|
| Primary Place of Performance: |
1045 Light Street Baltimore MD US 21230-4017 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
|
| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
|
| Parent UEI: |
|
| NSF Program(s): | COVID-19 Research |
| Primary Program Source: |
|
| Program Reference Code(s): |
|
| Program Element Code(s): |
|
| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.070 |
ABSTRACT
This project responds to COVID-19 by investigating an effective and efficient community-based approach in Baltimore City, Maryland to deploying free, broadband Internet and creating trusted open-access online education, career, and communication resources for low-income populations in the face of large-scale emergencies. This approach builds on existing research on the importance of equitable broadband Internet access and the potential of community-based solutions to bridging the digital divide. Project findings will inform the creation and use of community-led approaches to meet the technical and informational needs of vulnerable populations during and immediately following times of crisis. Specifically, it will research the creation of a trusted technical infrastructure that leverages local partnerships to provide free or low-cost Internet to communities. It will also inform how to maximize the potential of Internet connectivity to maintain continuity of education and employment activities and reduce social isolation among low-income populations.
This project will create a Community Wireless Networks (CWNs) through the deployment in Baltimore City, Maryland of a series of Point-to-Point (PtP) and Point-to-Multipoint (PtMP) connections over the 5GHz spectrum. These Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) radios mounted on Points of Presence (PoP) at partner sites will provide free and secure, high throughput links to families in need. As this access is created, the project will then curate and provide support resources to facilitate the continuity of education, the expansion of teleworking career opportunities, and virtual socialization methods. The impact of these interventions will be studied through pre- and post-intervention surveys as well as remote interviews with stakeholders to evaluate the impact of having free high-bandwidth Internet on low-income families? access to online educational, employment, and social resources both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, at the conclusion of the project participating families and community partners will offer reflections and suggestions for the future implementation of similar projects in a community focus group. Project findings seek to further inform how to meet the informational needs of vulnerable populations using a grass-roots, community-based, technology-access approach during and immediately following times of crisis. This project is highly relevant to Smart and Connected Communities program as it demonstrates tight integration of social and technology research and strong community engagement will be able to have significant impact improving quality of life in vulnerable communities in this and potentially other crises.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
This RAPID project investigated a community-based approach for efficiently and effectively deploying a community-based mesh network during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide free Internet access to low-resource urban communities in Baltimore City. We also studied the impact of inequitable access to online educational, employment, and social resources for low-income communities during the crisis.
Our project had several outcomes. First, we used a line-of-sight based wireless point-to-point connection model to connect 103 single family households to the internet during the pandemic. In doing so, we explored the benefits, drawbacks, and creative approaches to connecting households to the internet using this approach. Our work resulted in a model for deploying community-based Internet connectivity in an urban, low-income setting that outlines three dimensions of concern (safety, equity, and privacy) when deploying similar approaches in the future. The model reflects perspectives of both end-users and experts.
We have already leveraged the lessons learned from this research to develop a new approach to installing community-based broadband internet networks in low-income multi-unit dwellings (apartment buildings) using a combination of fiber and wireless point-to-point technologies. This refined approach allows us to provide premium-class internet service to residents quickly and affordably.
Second, we developed and shared a resource library for community members with curated high-quality content, consisting of over 180 resources. Within that library is a curated playlist designed for Waves users with approximately 50 resources focused on education, tech literacy, professional development, digital wellbeing, technology use, employment and social interactions. This aspect of the project provided insight into the intersectional experiences of vulnerable populations concerning access to online resources, experiences, and opportunities and underlined the need for culturally-appropriate, accessible, and updated online information sources. Additionally, our work showed that hybrid experiences that combine online and offline components provide possibilities for engaging more participants in online learning and empowerment activities but also that these will require careful attending to the unequal circumstances of end-users and accommodating them with appropriate mechanisms, such as access to tablets, shared connectivity, and access to a private site to use the service, among others.
Finally, we have taken the lessons learned from this research to create a model for installing community-based broadband internet networks in low-income multi-unit dwellings (apartment buildings) using a combination of fiber and wireless point-to-point technologies.
Last Modified: 09/29/2022
Modified by: Andrew Coy
Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.
