About Us

Just as the early railroads connected smaller communities to the rest of America, Expanded Access brings the capabilities of the global Internet directly to community residents, local businesses and community-based organizations, delivering the benefits of the digital age to our nation’s disadvantaged communities.

Recent estimates suggest that over 40 million households in the U.S. do not have access to the Internet. Additionally, many low-income residents lack the skills, tools and exposure to technology to effectively use the Internet. Without intervention, the digital divide is destined to grow wider.

Our mission is to make the Internet and all its advantages, particularly the vast resource of information and cost saving services found on-line, available to all people. In collaboration with community organizations, we seek to increase educational opportunities and create digital empowerment zones in the communities where the Expanded Access Community Development Program is deployed. Working closely with our community development and technology partners, we determine a realistic vision of technology needs and then work to place programs and technologies that connect people to relevant Internet enabled services.