LEXINGTON, Ky. — City officials are reviewing a sweeping plan to address Lexington's digital divide, even as a comprehensive survey reveals a stark contradiction: while high-speed internet is technically available at 99 percent of serviceable locations in Fayette County, only 64 percent of survey respondents said they actually have reliable and affordable access at home.

On Tuesday, March 24, the Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee reviewed a draft of Lexington's Digital Accessibility Plan, the centerpiece of the city's Get Connected Lex initiative. The plan, developed by a diverse workgroup of government officials, businesses, nonprofits and community members, identifies cost and digital skills deficits as the primary barriers keeping residents offline.

The survey, which collected responses from 219 residents across all 12 Urban County Council districts, found that 96 percent of respondents cited broadband cost as a barrier to access. The disparity is particularly acute along income lines: 54 percent of households earning less than $25,000 annually have home internet access, compared to 82 percent of households earning $100,000 or more.

Device ownership presents another significant hurdle, with 78 percent of respondents identifying the cost of internet-capable devices as a barrier. Additionally, 58 percent said they were interested in digital skills training, with a particular focus on protecting privacy and avoiding online scams. Adults over 65, incarcerated people, veterans, non-English speakers, low-income residents and people with disabilities face the greatest digital skills gaps, according to the survey.

The draft plan proposes expanding fiber optic broadband throughout Fayette County, providing financial assistance to qualifying households, establishing device donation and refurbishment pipelines, and developing digital literacy programs. City officials plan to partner with the Lexington Public Library, local businesses and internet service providers to promote low-cost internet options and provide training.

The effort comes as part of a broader state initiative. Kentucky's Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, funded through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is targeting unserved and underserved areas statewide with a focus on last-mile connectivity at speeds of at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, with projects expected to conclude by 2030.

Nationally, the Pew Charitable Trusts found that affordability remains the leading barrier to closing the digital divide in urban areas. The city's plan directly addresses this challenge, which has been exacerbated by the recent collapse of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which previously subsidized broadband for low-income households.