Please note that this report was published before the Equity Assistance Center – South changed its name to the Southern Center for Opportunity and Access (SCOA). 

New Study Warns Internet Costs Are Becoming the Next Education Opportunity Crisis in Southern States

Joint Report: Expanding Southern Broadband Fails to Solve Connectivity Affordability Crisis for P-12 Students

ATLANTA, GA, July 31, 2026 — As billions of federal dollars are being invested to expand broadband infrastructure across the United States, a new report from the Equity Assistance Center-South (EAC-South) at the Southern Education Foundation (SEF), using data analysis from InnovateEDU, finds that the next challenge facing schools is no longer simply getting internet to communities, but ensuring families can afford to stay connected.

The report, Digital Connectivity Landscapes in the Southeastern United States: A Comparative Trend Analysis of Broadband Infrastructure and Educational Impact, Access, and Opportunity, examined broadband access and educational connectivity across six school districts in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

The findings reveal that while broadband infrastructure continues to expand throughout the South, many students remain disconnected from learning opportunities due to affordability and access barriers, as well as reliance on mobile-only internet connections.

Among the report’s key findings:

  • In Halifax County, North Carolina, only 57.6% of households subscribe to broadband service despite ongoing infrastructure investments.
  • In Anniston, Alabama, approximately 21% of households rely primarily on mobile data plans for internet access, creating challenges for students to complete homework, access digital learning platforms, and participate in virtual learning opportunities.
  • Rural communities throughout the six Southeast regions continue to face “last-mile” connectivity challenges, while urban districts increasingly confront affordability barriers that prevent families from maintaining reliable home internet service.
  • The expiration of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) threatens to widen educational opportunity gaps for thousands of low-income students across the South.

The report concludes that while broadband infrastructure is expanding, educational opportunities remain uneven because families cannot consistently access the connectivity students need to learn beyond the school day. Data from organizations like the Pew Research Center and the National Education Association (NEA) reveal that an estimated 15 to 17 million K-12 students are locked out of fully participating in their education after the school bell rings.

“Access to learning doesn’t end when students leave the school building,” said Eshé P. Collins, Director of the Equity Assistance Center-South. “For many families, the challenge is no longer whether broadband exists in their community. The challenge is whether they can afford to stay connected. When students lose access to the internet, they lose access to tutoring, assignments, college and career exploration, and countless opportunities that support academic success.”

The report highlights promising examples of communities finding innovative ways to expand digital opportunity. In Madison County, Alabama, robust fiber investment fueled by the Huntsville technology corridor created some of the highest broadband availability rates in the region, with fiber access exceeding 90% in some communities. Additionally, in Fayette County, Tennessee, a partnership between Chickasaw Electric Cooperative and Aeneas Internet & Telephone brings fiber-to-the-home service to rural communities that historically lacked reliable high-speed internet access.

“This report makes clear that expanding broadband infrastructure is only the first step,” said Erin Mote, CEO of InnovateEDU. “Communities that pair infrastructure investments with affordability strategies, local partnerships, and digital literacy efforts are creating stronger conditions for students to learn wherever learning happens. As technology continues to shape education, success will depend on ensuring families are not only connected, but able to fully participate in the digital learning ecosystem.”

These examples demonstrate how local leadership, strategic partnerships, and targeted investment can help connect students and their families to learning opportunities both in and outside the classroom.

However, experts caution that infrastructure investments alone will not close the digital divide. The report calls on education leaders, policymakers, and community partners to take a broader approach to digital opportunity by:

  • Expanding “Digital Navigator” programs that help families access affordable internet service, devices, and technical support;
  • Increasing awareness of low-cost broadband programs available through internet service providers and community organizations;
  • Designing digital learning experiences that function effectively in low-bandwidth environments;
  • Investing in digital and AI literacy initiatives that help students and families effectively navigate an increasingly digital world; and
  • Advocating for sustainable affordability solutions such as the Universal Service Fund that help families maintain internet access following the expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program.

“The wires are coming,” Collins added. “The next phase of this work is making sure every student can afford to plug in, participate fully, and access the opportunities that connection makes possible.”

Click here to read the full report.

About EAC-South

The Equity Assistance Center-South (EAC-South), operated by the Southern Education Foundation and funded by the U.S. Department of Education, provides expert guidance and support to public school districts across the Southern United States to help them meet federal civil rights requirements in education.

Established under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, SCOA works directly with school districts, state education agencies, and school leaders to ensure students are treated fairly and have access to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed.

EAC-South provides no-cost technical assistance, professional learning, and practical tools to help education leaders strengthen policies, improve school climate, and address challenges related to race, national origin, sex, and religion in accordance with federal law. By partnering with districts across 11 Southern states and Washington, D.C., EAC-South helps schools build stronger systems that support student success and uphold the promise of equal educational opportunity. 

About InnovateEDU

InnovateEDU is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the opportunity gap by accelerating innovation in standards-aligned, next-generation learning models and tools. We address a critical systemic reality: the K-12 sector is too fragmented to effectively leverage new technology, leaving students behind. We lead high-impact projects and fieldwork that standardize data, influence policy, and unify stakeholders across the sector. By resolving underlying infrastructure issues and facilitating collective action, InnovateEDU transforms disconnected systems into a functional ecosystem that ensures every learner can succeed.