Author Archive

Brian Whitacre

Brian Whitacre is a professor and extension economist at Oklahoma State University.
Management

Is your state ready to handle the influx of federal funds for expanding broadband?

Rolling out billions of dollars of funding will be a challenge for states without a history of evaluating applications – or those that are brand-new to the quickly growing field of digital equity.

  • By Christina Biedny and Brian Whitacre
Management

COVID-19 lockdowns expose the digital have-nots in rural areas – here’s which policies can get them connected

Many state governments are taking an active role in trying to connect more rural communities to high-speed internet, whether it’s by incentivizing providers to serve rural areas or creating dedicated offices aimed at helping more people get online.

  • By Brian Whitacre and Roberto Gallardo
Management

Broadband internet can help rural communities connect -- if they use it

Broadband access is not enough to engage rural citizens; supporting and encouraging internet use is vital to addressing the persistent digital divide, a new study shows.

  • By Brian Whitacre